Speaking before the opener of a three-game series against Houston, Anthopoulos said he’s currently immersed in preparation for next week’s draft but is starting to “engage a little bit more” in trade talks.

“If there is a bullpen piece out there, we’ll look to do something,” he said during a wide-ranging 15-minute media availability. “I know there’s been reports about us inquiring about guys and that’s fair to say. I wouldn’t deny those.”

Anthopoulos also confirmed that veteran free agent reliever Rafael Soriano is a player who interests him.

“I think it’s fair to say,” he said. “I normally don’t comment specifically about player, but that one I think is someone that we’ll look into. I think it’s stating the obvious there.”

Soriano spent the past two years with Washington and has yet to play this season.

The Blue Jays took a 25-30 record into Friday night’s game against the Astros. Despite the early struggles, Toronto remains in the thick of the American League East race.

“The division is wide open,” Anthopoulos said. “It goes without saying none of the teams have really run away with it. You’ve got Tampa and New York that are obviously ahead right now, but we’re all in it because of the play of the division.”

Entering Friday’s games, Toronto was 4 1/2 games behind the first-place New York Yankees, who were a half-game up on the Rays. Toronto was in a virtual tie with Baltimore, one game ahead of last-place Boston.

Two glaring team statistics that jump out are the Blue Jays’ 3-12 record in one-run games and 11-18 mark on the road.

“There’s been a lot of one-run games that we haven’t been able to pull through,” Anthopoulos said. “The analytics guys will tell you in one-run games, there is a significant element of luck. Other people may not agree. I don’t know where I fall into that.

“But I think when I look at the club overall and I look at the division and where we’re positioned and the upside, I still think we’ve got a very good team and a chance to make a run.”

There have been some recent signs that the Blue Jays may be close to turning things around.

Slugger Jose Bautista has returned to right field, significantly improving the outfield defence and freeing up others to be slotted into the designated hitter spot he occupied while nursing a sore shoulder. The starting rotation has looked much better and the team’s offensive numbers have remained strong.

However, team defence has been suspect, there is no real closer on the staff and inconsistency has plagued the bullpen. Toronto is last in the major leagues with six saves and owns an AL-worst earned-run average of 4.41.

Catcher Dioner Navarro, who has been relegated to a backup role with the off-season addition of Canadian Russell Martin, could be an attractive trade target for teams.

“I think I’m stating the obvious here but behind the plate with Navarro, that’s an area of depth,” Anthopoulos said. “We’re not hiding anything there. He can be an everyday guy for somebody so that’s an area. Look, we like him on the team. I’ve said this, he’s valuable. We’re proud that he’s on this team.

“But if there’s that opportunity where we improve the club and it gets him an everyday playing spot, we would do that and I’ve told that to him.”

After the weekend series against the Astros, the Blue Jays will continue their six-game homestand with a three-game set against the Miami Marlins.

An MRI on Thursday revealed the 31-year-old’s cracked rib and oblique strain are progressing well.

“It’s healing up, so he’s going to start baseball activity today,” said Blue Jays manager John Gibbons. “He’ll go out there with the team, stretch, take some ground balls and he’s going to hit a little bit off the tee. Good news yesterday.”

Reyes, who was placed on the 15-day disabled list on April 27, isn’t eligible to return to the active lineup until early next week. As a result, the shortstop could be headed for a rehab assignment.

Gibbons said he had not had a conversation with Alex Anthopoulos, but that he would expect a rehab assignment for Reyes.

Reyes was hitting .250 with three doubles and seven RBI in 16 games prior to being placed on the disabled list.

The 27-year-old Tepera has made eight relief appearances for Buffalo this season posting a 1-1 record and a 0.57 earned-run average.

Jenkins had a 4.50 ERA in just two innings pitched for Toronto, striking out two.

]]>http://o.canada.com/sports/blue-jays-all-star-shortstop-jose-reyes-resumes-baseball-activity/feed0Jose ReyesthecanadianpressBlue Jays brass keep the faith about a club turnaroundhttp://o.canada.com/sports/baseball/blue-jays-brass-keep-the-faith-about-a-club-turnaround
http://o.canada.com/sports/baseball/blue-jays-brass-keep-the-faith-about-a-club-turnaround#commentsTue, 05 May 2015 04:12:47 +0000http://o.canada.com/?p=606406]]>By John LottNational Post

TORONTO — Talk-show hosts invited listeners to vent about the Blue Jays, and the simple, predictable solutions poured forth. Fire the general manager. Fire the manager. Fire the pitching coach. Trade for a pitcher. Take on Cole Hamels and his $100-million US contract.

The Jays’ current disheveled state also inspired retroactive criticisms on the call-in shows and social media. GM Alex Anthopoulos should have traded for big-time pitching help in the off-season. He shouldn’t have started the season with six rookies, three of whom have already been dispatched to the minors.

The questions and criticisms are understandable, given that the Jays are 13-14 after Monday night’s 3-1 victory over the Yankees and heading into Monday, feature the the worst staff ERA (5.13) in the majors, the most walks (64) and the highest opponents’ batting average (.294.)

Two of their starters, Drew Hutchison and Mark Buehrle, have the two worst ERAs in the majors (7.47 and 6.75, respectively.) A third starter, Aaron Sanchez, has the most walks (20).

Before the game against the first-place Yankees, reporters peppered Anthopoulos, manager John Gibbons and pitching coach Pete Walker with questions about how the Jays might crawl out of this swamp. Their answers brought to mind a plea popularized by two U.S. presidents named Bush: Stay the course.

In summary: the players who are struggling now have track records that signify they will improve, and the three deposed kids who were good in the spring – pitchers Daniel Norris and Miguel Castro and outfielder Dalton Pompey – will be good again, given the chance to catch their breath in Buffalo.

“Over 80 per cent of players that get to three years (in the big leagues) get optioned at least once,” Anthopoulos said. “We mentioned this to Norris: Clayton Kershaw got optioned, as good as he is. It happens. This happened to (Marcus) Stroman last year and he came back. Hopefully, they’re not down long, they get right and they come back and they give us a boost.”

As for early-season slumps by Buehrle, Edwin Encarnacion and, to a lesser extent, Jose Bautista, they will rebound, Anthopoulos and Gibbons insisted.

“If you have guys with a track record that have done it before, you certainly feel pretty good that they’re going to turn it around and get it going,” Anthopoulos said. “When guys get hurt, that’s one that’s hard to recover from.”

Of course, the Jays also have guys that got hurt: Stroman (knee surgery) is out for the season, Jose Reyes (cracked rib) is on the disabled list, Michael Saunders (fluid drained from his knee Monday) is hobbling in the outfield and Bautista (sore right shoulder) is confined to DH duty.

But those last three are part of an offence that leads the majors in runs scored. The overriding concern, for management and the fan base, is the pitching staff.

Both Anthopoulos and Gibbons kept talking about track records. Buehrle’s goes back to 2000. R.A. Dickey has been throwing his knuckleball successfully since 2009. Hutchison has one full season in the majors – last year – while Sanchez is a rookie. Norris, the other starter in the opening-day rotation, is in Buffalo.

Hutchison: The 24-year-old has logged two good starts and four bad ones. Only twice has he survived the fifth inning. His command has been inconsistent, in part because of minor mechanical issues. Understandably, his confidence is shaken, Walker said. Anthopoulos: “We’re talking about it internally right now. I wish I had something to point to. I don’t. Hopefully in a few days we’ll start to unearth some things.” Is Hutchison’s rotation job in jeopardy? The GM said no, not at the moment, but if it were, he wouldn’t say so publicly anyway.

Sanchez: His walk total is frightful, but he has allowed only five runs in his past two starts. His problem: high pitch counts that prevent him from getting through the sixth inning. Anthopoulos said Sanchez is showing improvement with each start; Walker said the rookie is starting to focus more on pitching aggressively with his fastball.

Norris: Even though his ERA was 3.86 when he was sent down, he was throwing too many pitches and constantly working out of jams. “The tough part is he became a one-pitch guy, just trying to get outs any way he can,” Anthopoulos said. “I think the fastball (was) really the only pitch that he could command. [In the majors], you need to get outs, and if that’s throwing 20 changeups in a row, guys are going to do it.”

Other rotation options? Behold the Buffalo Bisons. “All the guys we have there are all candidates to start,” Anthopoulos said.

Trades? None on the horizon, the GM said. Few significant trades occur until after the amateur draft in June because too many teams believe they still have a chance to contend. “I wouldn’t imagine there being anything even potentially being done until mid-June at the earliest,” he said.

The 25-year-old Cuban, released by the White Sox in early February, will be given a chance to show he belongs somewhere on the depth chart.

“He’s got some power, a right-handed bat,” said general manager Alex Anthopoulos. “Has played some third (base) in his career, played some first. Certainly played the outfield and we’ll just take a look at him for the month of March and see what we have.”

On Thursday, the Jays signed former Cy Young Award-winner Johan Santana to another minor-league deal. Santana, sidelined by shoulder and Achilles injuries, last threw in the majors in 2012.

Both players would get a pro-rated US$2.5-million, one-year deal if they make the team, with Santana also getting performance bonuses. The minor league rate is $20,000 a month.

Viciedo signed a $10-million, four-year deal with the White Sox in December 2008. He settled on a one-year $4.4-million contract in arbitration earlier this year but was cut loose with Chicago looking to former Jay Melky Cabrera in left field.

The five-foot-11, 240-pound Cuban batted .231 last season with 21 home runs and 58 RBIs. He had 122 strikeouts and 32 walks in 523 at-bats and is not known for his outfield defence.

Viciedo gives the Jays another option in left field with Michael Saunders out for five to six weeks after undergoing surgery to remove his meniscus. But given Saunders’ expected early return date, Viciedo may have a better shot of sticking elsewhere, with Anthopoulos saying first base/DH is “the most wide open spot in terms of competition.”

The Jays have talked of giving Edwin Encarnacion, who plays both positions, more time at designated hitter to save his body. Justin Smoak, Daric Barton and Matt Hague are other first base options.

Viciedo hit well against left-handers earlier in his career (.350 against left-handers and .225 against right-handers in 2012) but his splits have narrowed since. He hit .221 against lefties and .235 against righties last season.

Viciedo is scheduled to have a medical Monday and take the field Tuesday.

“I think the big thing is we want to see how he hits,” Anthopoulos said.

Anthopoulos says if the move pans out, it’s highly unlikely the 35-year-old would be ready for Opening Day.

But the Jays say they believe Santana can be effective if healthy. They also believe he can help other pitchers.

The Venezuelan left-hander has not appeared in a major-league game since 2012 due to a shoulder injury. If he does make the team, he will make a pro-rated contract of $2.5 million US with bonuses.

But Anthopoulos said the team is not interested in having him pitch in the minors. Santana is expected in camp this weekend.

]]>http://o.canada.com/sports/blue-jays-say-signing-former-cy-young-winner-johan-santana-is-no-risk-deal/feed0Johan SantanathecanadianpressAlex Anthopoulos promises offensive Toronto Blue Jays lineuphttp://o.canada.com/sports/alex-anthopoulos-promises-offensive-toronto-blue-jays-lineup
http://o.canada.com/sports/alex-anthopoulos-promises-offensive-toronto-blue-jays-lineup#commentsFri, 06 Feb 2015 17:26:31 +0000http://o.canada.com/?p=589610]]>TORONTO — Conventional wisdom says this is a do-or-die year for Alex Anthopoulos, that if he cannot lead the Toronto Blue Jays to the playoffs after six years of trying, his head will roll.

The general manager claims, however, that no one above him in the chain of command has ever told him that, and that he is blissfully unworried about losing his job.

So as he goes about his daily business, job security is not an issue when he considers whether to make one deal or another, he insists.

Toronto Blue Jays GM Alex Anthopoulos stressed that he would never even be tempted to make a deal that sacrifices the team’s future for his own job security. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Frank Gunn

“No, no,” Anthopoulos answered hastily when asked if he feels like he’s under the gun. “It’s never been positioned to me that way, ever.

“These jobs are not about the person or the individual. You’re a steward for the ball club. We’re always focused on the short and the long term. We could easily trade a bunch of our young players for guys that are going to be free agents and players that are three and four years away, but we don’t feel that’s the right thing for the ball club. That’s what your job entails, doing the right thing for the ball club.”

In an interview before the club’s annual State of the Franchise event for season-ticket holders, Anthopoulos discussed the question marks surrounding his team — the bullpen, second base, centre field — and confirmed his faith that the Jays will be an offensive powerhouse, regardless of who plays second and centre.

And he stressed that he would never even be tempted to make a deal that sacrifices the team’s future for his own job security.

It was hardly a surprising assertion. What else would he say to such a question? But as he enters the final year of his contract, his comments were consistent with those he has made from the day he took over the GM’s job in October 2009 following the ouster of his mentor, J.P. Ricciardi.

Part of his inspiration, he said, comes from the writings of U.S. business mogul Warren Buffett.

Aaron Sanchez could be the Jays’ closer this season. (Allen McInnis/Postmedia News)

“I admire him a lot,” Anthopoulos said. “I read a lot of his work, not because I invest in stocks, I don’t invest in any. He talks about integrity being the pillar of any hire that he makes. It’s the No. 1 thing. You can define it any way that you want, but in this role, it’s ultimately doing what’s right for the ball club, not doing what’s right for someone’s career. If you stick to that simple formula, you still want to make the right decisions, but you’re not conflicted at all.”

If he faces conflicts, one might be how to fill the closer’s role left vacant by free agent Casey Janssen, who recently signed with the Washington Nationals. The Jays never tried to bring Janssen back.

Both Anthopoulos and manager John Gibbons said Thursday that either veteran left-hander Brett Cecil or 22-year-old phenom Aaron Sanchez could be the closer. And if the GM and manager had to pick a role for Sanchez today, he would be in the bullpen.

“But it’s going to come down to what serves the team best.”

“At this moment, yeah, he did a great job (as a reliever),” Anthopoulos said. “He did it last year and he did it well. That frees up Brett as the lefty to come in in the middle of an inning and things like that. Certainly we’re a stronger bullpen (with Sanchez) based on the results we saw last year. But that’ll depend on how (Marco) Estrada throws the ball, and how (Daniel) Norris throws the ball in spring training.”

Meaning that if Estrada, newly arrived from Milwaukee in the Adam Lind trade, and rookie southpaw Norris make strong bids for rotation spots in spring training, it would be easier to keep Sanchez in the bullpen, where he posted a 1.09 ERA in 24 games last year.

Sanchez remains projected as a starter. He wants to start this year and will be treated as a rotation candidate at start of spring training.

Josh Donaldson gives the Jays another power bat. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)

“But it’s going to come down to what serves the team best,” Gibbons said.

Both Anthopoulos and Gibbons acknowledged the challenge of auditioning as many as five second-base candidates and choosing between rookie Dalton Pompey and the slightly more experienced Kevin Pillar in centre field. The winner in those sweepstakes will be the players who show they can hit in spring training, the GM said.

But Anthopoulos believes the additions of Josh Donaldson, Russell Martin and Michael Saunders to a lineup that already features Jose Bautista, Edwin Encarnacion and Jose Reyes means the offence will be strong and able to compensate for any production frailties at second base and centre field.

Much as fans would like it, no GM can create a perfect lineup, Anthopoulos said.

“Ideally, you’re nine-deep and everyone stays healthy. That’s not going to be the case. We’re going to need some guys to step up and emerge. That’s part of it. I think every club is going to have that (challenge).”

Meanwhile, he said his biggest off-season trades prove that he continues to balance the team’s short- and long-term viability, without regard for his own job.

“We traded (J.A.) Happ with a year of control left for two years of Saunders, and we traded some of our kids for four years of control of Josh Donaldson,” he said. “We like Josh Donaldson, but we’re not trading for him if he’s a free agent a year from now.”

]]>http://o.canada.com/sports/alex-anthopoulos-promises-offensive-toronto-blue-jays-lineup/feed1Russell Martin; Alex Anthopoulospostmedianews1Toronto Blue Jays GM Alex Anthopoulos answers questions at Spring Training in Dunedin, Fla. on Thursday February 20, 2014. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Frank Gunn ORG XMIT: FNG102Aaron Sanchez is regarded as one of the Toronto Blue Jays top prospects. (Allen McInnis/Postmedia News)KANSAS CITY, MO - SEPTEMBER 30: Josh Donaldson #20 of the Oakland Athletics celebrates after Brandon Moss #37 of the Oakland Athletics hit a three-run home run in the sixth inning against the Kansas City Royals during the American League Wild Card game at Kauffman Stadium on September 30, 2014 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)Scott Stinson: Blue Jays’ long-term plan remains cloudy after president Paul Beeston given contract extensionhttp://o.canada.com/sports/toronto-blue-jays-long-term-plan-remains-cloudy-after-president-paul-beeston-given-contract-extension
http://o.canada.com/sports/toronto-blue-jays-long-term-plan-remains-cloudy-after-president-paul-beeston-given-contract-extension#commentsTue, 27 Jan 2015 17:35:53 +0000http://o.canada.com/?p=584577]]>TORONTO — So, that went well.

Three months after Toronto Blue Jays president Paul Beeston let it be known he intended to be back with the team for the 2015 season, the club has made it official, signing the 69-year-old to a one-year extension and announcing at the same time that he will retire at the conclusion of it.

All that business in the middle few months? The phone calls to Chicago about Ken Williams and the similar entreaties to Baltimore about Dan Duquette, which turned into weeks of protracted negotiations and haggling about compensation?

Dan Duquette is under contract with the Baltimore Orioles for four more years. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)

Just “rumours flying about,” says Edward Rogers, chairman of the team and deputy chairman of the company that owns it and bears his family name. “It would have been inappropriate to comment on such matters publicly,” he also says. Never you mind about that messy stuff, in other words. Beeston is back, and Rogers is thrilled about it. “Elated,” even.

This statement conveniently sidesteps the fact it would have been wholly appropriate for someone at Rogers to comment on such matters had there been nothing to those “rumours.” It would have been blessedly easy: “We are working on a contract extension with Paul, look forward to having him return, and will have an announcement at the appropriate time.” And, just for the sake of clarity: “Suggestions that we are in pursuit of an executive currently under working for a division rival are unfounded.”

Boom, done. Onward.

But no such thing was said, neither by the Blue Jays nor from the other end with Duquette, who was said by reports out of Baltimore to want the Toronto job. Either side could have shot the story down. Neither side did. It was not just rumours.

Beeston, in an interview on Rogers-owned Sportsnet radio in Toronto on Tuesday morning, was asked if it was true he was blindsided by reports that Edward Rogers was actively searching for his replacement, even after he had said he intended to return, which if nothing else was a rather unceremonious way to treat someone who was the club’s first employee.

The Blue Jays will head into 2015 with a president set to retire and a general manager on an expiring deal.

“There’s no benefit to discussing any of that,” Beeston responded. I’m going to go ahead and mark that response down as a “yes.”

In the end, then, someone in the Rogers corporate hierarchy — we’ll stick with Edward himself, since no one will say otherwise — went off on a now-aborted quest to land someone who would be installed as the new Blue Jays boss. Unfortunately for Toronto’s ownership, settling on someone who was under contract for four more years in Duquette proved to be a considerable challenge, since Orioles owner Peter Angelos was unwilling to let his general manager walk to a rival for anything less than a huge ransom. And so Beeston is back, for a bit, but the questions raised by the last few months of uncertainty remain largely unanswered.

One of the curious elements of the Duquette pursuit is that he is a personnel guy who has made his reputation in baseball as someone who finds talented players, even with limited resources. Installing him at the top of your organizational chart makes a lot of sense in a vacuum, but it would also appear to considerably undermine the decision-making autonomy of an existing general manager, particularly one in the last year of his contract, as is Alex Anthopoulos with the Blue Jays.

The Baltimore perspective on the Duquette-to-Toronto move was that he wasn’t coming here to schmooze season-ticket holders and figure out how to grow grass in the Rogers Centre. He was coming to be the guy in charge of the team, including who was on the roster.

Toronto Blue Jays president Paul Beeston, right, and general manager Alex Anthopoulos could both be on their way out after the 2015 season. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette

Was the move for Duquette a signal that Rogers had already decided on a post-Anthopoulos regime? If so, it was odd timing since Anthopoulos spent the early part of the off-season making win-now moves such as the signing of Russell Martin and the trade for Josh Donaldson. More significantly, it was the moves Anthopoulos didn’t make: hanging onto Jose Bautista and Edwin Encarnacion as both enter the final years of their contracts (with team options for 2016) instead of trading for pitching help or prospects. Had a new personnel-oriented president been brought in last fall, when Beeston’s contract expired, that boss might well have pushed for more of a rebuild.

Instead, the Blue Jays will head into 2015 with a president set to retire and a general manager on an expiring deal. What happens if the team, a borderline playoff contender, hits a bad stretch that makes the post-season unlikely, as happened early in the spring of 2013 and the summer of 2014? Would Rogers let Anthopoulos preside over a sale of assets to commence a rebuild? Wouldn’t you want the new guy to be in place for that? Or if the Jays actually exceed expectations — hey, could happen — would ownership allow Anthopoulos to make a play for a costly final roster piece? Wouldn’t you want the new guy to be in place for that?

You would, of course, except Rogers — surprise! — isn’t talking about the succession plan any further. Neither is Beeston, saying on Sportsnet the organization hadn’t had those discussions yet. Fair enough: they did just sign him to the extension.

So the long-term picture is very unclear, but Toronto fans can take solace in the fact ownership didn’t cave to Baltimore’s demands and give up valuable top prospects for a new executive. That’s a bonus.

And, hey, these are Toronto sports, where “it could have been worse” is a clear victory.

]]>http://o.canada.com/sports/toronto-blue-jays-long-term-plan-remains-cloudy-after-president-paul-beeston-given-contract-extension/feed1BBA-Blue-Jays-Beeston-20150126.jpgscottmstinsonBOSTON, MA - APRIL 18: Dan Duquette, general manager of the Baltimore Orioles, watches batting practice before a game with the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park on April 18, 2014 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)Toronto Blue Jays President and CEO Paul Beeston, right, and general manager Alex Anthopoulos talk as they watch the Blue Jays during baseball spring training in Dunedin, Fla., on Sunday, Feb. 17, 2013. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette ORG XMIT: NSD106Scott Stinson: Toronto Blue Jays play alienation game with Paul Beestonhttp://o.canada.com/sports/baseball/jays-playing-alienation-game-with-longtime-exec-beeston
http://o.canada.com/sports/baseball/jays-playing-alienation-game-with-longtime-exec-beeston#commentsThu, 15 Jan 2015 03:05:20 +0000http://o.canada.com/?p=577908]]>TORONTO — It is a hell of way to treat one of the most popular Blue Jays, non-player division, in club history.

Almost six weeks after the first reports that someone at the offices of Rogers Communications was actively searching for a replacement for club president and CEO Paul Beeston, the most visible link to the World Series years of Toronto’s baseball team, he remains a man without status.

Not out of a job, so far as anyone at Rogers is willing to say publicly, but not in one, either. Beeston’s contract expired in October, and by the following month it was assumed he would be back in the job for at least the 2015 season — one that begins at spring training in less than six weeks.

In the meantime, someone above him in the Rogers hierarchy started placing mysterious phone calls, to the Chicago White Sox about executive vice-president Ken Williams — or rather to Williams himself — and to the Baltimore Orioles about Dan Duquette, a vice-president and general manager in that organization. Reports out of both Chicago and Baltimore have said that the team owners, Jerry Reinsdorf and Peter Angelos respectively, were angered by the would-be poaching.

Rogers is pursuing Baltimore Orioles president and general manager Dan Duquette to run the Toronto Blue Jays. (Jim Rogash/Getty Images)

This inept botching of an executive search has never been explained by anyone in the Rogers offices. Questions about the phone calls, including who even made them, and if that person was disciplined over it, were first dismissed by Rogers public-relations staff as rumours, despite Williams being on the record that he was approached, and that Reinsdorf did not grant him permission to deal any further with whomever was on the other end of the phone.

Rogers also wouldn’t comment on Beeston’s situation, even with some kind of rote discussions-are-ongoing line of obfuscation that would have at least made it look as though the team didn’t suddenly drop the longtime president like he was on fire.

A month and a half later, Rogers’ cone of silence remains. A simple question posed to a senior Rogers public-relations executive on Wednesday — “Will Paul Beeston be the team president in 2015?” — went unanswered. At the same time, multiple outlets have reported that conversations between the Orioles and Blue Jays about Duquette are ongoing.

Last month ESPN.com said that there was some willingness on the part of the Orioles to allow Duquette, who is under contract through 2018, to walk, but that would require compensation from Toronto to make it happen. On Wednesday, Fox Sports’ Ken Rosenthal and Jon Morosi offered something similar: That the Jays and Orioles were discussing a compensation package that would allow Duquette to leave.

For the Blue Jays, this is akin to contemplating a new set of snow tires for a vehicle that is presently in flames.

The Blue Jays, as was widely noted when the Kansas City Royals made it to the post-season last fall, have the longest playoff drought of not just baseball, but in any of the major North American sports. They revamped a roster two years ago in a bold move that flopped, then mostly stood pat for 2014, which turned into a seriously wasted opportunity when the American League East powerhouses cratered.

Through all of that, precisely no one figured the Jays’ problems were a result of the guy in the president’s office. And yet Beeston, the team’s first employee, who was president during the Jays’ 1990s heyday, and returned to take the same job in 2008 — giving a shred of relevance to a franchise that hadn’t had one for a while — now finds himself wondering if he will be invited to continue, while discovering in the press that others have been contacted about his job.

If the reports about compensating the Orioles for Duquette prove accurate, then the Jays franchise, which has not been successful on the field for 21 seasons, will be giving a division rival talent from their own system in order to secure the services of an executive to fill a position that didn’t need filling.

It would be nice to imagine that Baltimore would take a lesser asset off the Blue Jays’ hands — Dioner Navarro, please come to reception, and bring your locker contents — but the Orioles hold a considerable amount of leverage here.

Paul Beeston chose Alex Anthopoulos to be the Blue Jays general manager in 2009. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette)

The Jays received a player from Boston when they traded one contract year of former manager John Farrell; Duquette is under contract for four years and holds a more senior position. Imagine how thrilled general manager Alex Anthopoulos would be to lose on-field assets in order to replace something above him on the organizational chart.

There are other levels of intrigue here — that ESPN report from last month suggested new Major League Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred wanted to see the Duquette-to-Toronto move and if that’s true, it is probably not a coincidence that Beeston was not among Manfred’s supporters when a new MLB boss was appointed.

But none of that should be the concern of the Toronto Blue Jays. They didn’t much need a new president, though they seem on their way to getting one, and at a price they didn’t need to pay.

Along the way, a loyal executive — a guy with his name on the stadium’s wall — gets undercut by persons unknown, and the team’s owners won’t even address the open questions about his future.

Professional sports can be a rough business, and good people lose their jobs all the time at the whims of someone in the front office. It’s just that, usually, they are afforded the courtesy of being told about it.

]]>http://o.canada.com/sports/baseball/jays-playing-alienation-game-with-longtime-exec-beeston/feed0Paul BeestonscottmstinsonRogers is pursuing Baltimore Orioles president and general manager Dan Duquette to run the Toronto Blue Jays. (Jim Rogash/Getty Images)Paul Beeston chose Alex Anthopoulos to be the Blue Jays general manager in 2009. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette) Scott Stinson: Toronto Blue Jays reshape roster despite their financial limitshttp://o.canada.com/sports/baseball/scott-stinson-toronto-blue-jays-reshape-roster-despite-their-financial-limits
http://o.canada.com/sports/baseball/scott-stinson-toronto-blue-jays-reshape-roster-despite-their-financial-limits#commentsSun, 07 Dec 2014 23:38:10 +0000http://o.canada.com/?p=558040]]>When the Toronto Blue Jays traded first baseman Adam Lind last month, it was variously described as a payroll-trimming move that would give the team flexibility to reconstruct its roster in the following weeks. General manager Alex Anthopoulos used the term “flexibility” more than half a dozen times in a brief conference call with reporters.

And so it has come to pass. In the month since, Anthopoulos has signed free-agent catcher Russell Martin and traded for infielder Josh Donaldson and outfielder Michael Saunders, reshaping the roster in a manner that echoes his 2012 tear down, but without the fanfare.

With baseball’s winter meetings set to begin in San Diego Monday, no one doubts that Anthopoulos has more deals to be made. He still needs a second baseman and probably another outfielder. Plus he still has some payroll flexibility — the Martin deal was back-loaded so that the bulk of his money will arrive when other high-priced Jays come off the books.

Toronto Blue Jays general manager Alex Anthopoulos has always been careful to avoid saying he operates with a payroll limit.

What never gets fully explained, though, is why the general manager of the Toronto Blue Jays needs to preserve that payroll flexibility. The answer, of course, is that the team’s owners require it of him. Though Anthopoulos has always been careful to avoid saying that he operates with a payroll limit, it is clear that one exists. “Our payroll is fine,” he will say to a question about whether it can be increased. Meanwhile, he has to get creative to save dollars, whether with the structure of the Martin deal or the possibility last off-season that some Jays players would have restructured their contracts to free up money for free-agent pitcher Ervin Santana.

The Blue Jays behave like a salary-cap team in a sport that doesn’t have one — but it’s the only one of the major sports that doesn’t have a punitive cap or payroll tax, which is perhaps why the clamour for the Jays to spend more isn’t particularly loud. We are kind of used to teams that are stuck to their budgets.

But the Jays really need not be a budget team. They are, depending on how you want to define market size, playing in one of the biggest markets in North America, fourth by some measures, seventh by others. The Jays are owned by a corporation that nets more than a billion dollars in annual profits. They play in a stadium that they own, built largely with public money and essentially bought from the remainder bin.

When the Blue Jays won the World Series in 1993, they had the highest payroll in Major League Baseball.

And even though they have crept back into the top 10 of major league payrolls, there is still a chasm between them and the serious big spenders. Beyond all that, there’s this: becoming a playoff team again, after 22 years in the wilderness, is the best way for the Jays to increase their revenue base and dramatically so. Put another way: what’s an extra $10-million if it means finally making the post-season?

In 1993, the last time the Blue Jays made the playoffs, they had the highest payroll in Major League Baseball, at $45 million. They were among the salary leaders for another two seasons, but in 1996 the payroll dropped to $28 million, not long after the team’s owner Labatt was purchased by Belgian giant Interbrew.The Jays’ payroll was decoupled from the path travelled by the sport’s biggest spenders, and it has never come close since.

Though it climbed back upward at times, two major payroll reductions — in 2003 and 2010, both under Rogers ownership — put Toronto so far behind the league’s big-spending teams that even with the major payroll bump in 2012 the Jays still spend well behind some of their big-market rivals. Even with a 2014 payroll of $129 million, Toronto would have to spend another $60 million just to match the average of the five highest-spending teams.

The Boston Red Sox gave free agent third baseman Pablo Sandoval $95 million this off-season, proving to once again be their spendthrift self. (AP Photo/Stephan Savoia)

While spending on its own is no guarantee of success, there is no doubt that it helps. Though there is no statistically significant correlation between dollars and wins in hockey, basketball or football, it accounts for about 22 per cent of the variation in team win percentage in baseball, says Andrew Zimbalist, a professor at Smith College in Massachusetts, who has studied a wealth of sports-economics issues. Wins are also correlated to dollars in another way: teams that win more make more money. The impact of wins on revenues is strongest, Zimbalist says, when a team is climbing between a .520- and .570-win percentage — that is, the difference between a good team and one that is in serious playoff contention. “Once you get above that, and it’s just a matter of what playoff seed you get, the impact (of wins on dollars earned) drops off,” Zimbalist says. “But between .520 and .570 there’s a very large impact.” Toronto’s win percentage last year was .512.

You don’t always get a return from investing money in payroll, Zimbalist notes, but as for the maxim that you can spend money to make money, “there is truth to it” in baseball, he says.

Alex Anthopoulos is required to build a contender with limited funds, which forces him to work with a higher degree of difficulty. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images)

Toronto’s division rivals certainly seem to believe it. As Anthopoulos has made his cagey winter moves, the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox have been their usual spendthrift selves. Boston gave $95 million to Giants infielder Pablo Sandoval and another $88 million to the Dodgers’ Hanley Ramirez, despite having a 2014 payroll that was close to $160 million. The Yankees spent $36 million on reliever Andrew Miller, who might not even be their closer. They had a payroll last year of $233 million, so a $9-million-a-year setup man makes a weird kind of sense.

There are red flags with all of those deals, but they show the lengths to which big-market teams will go to give themselves the best chance at winning. It might be wasted money, but it’s just that: money. The Blue Jays, meanwhile, require Anthopoulos to build a contender with obvious payroll constraints. It’s not that it can’t be done, but it forces him to work with a higher degree of difficulty.

In baseball, there’s no bonus trophy for getting more wins per dollar than your division rivals. Too bad, that, because it’s one the Jays might win.

]]>http://o.canada.com/sports/baseball/scott-stinson-toronto-blue-jays-reshape-roster-despite-their-financial-limits/feed0Russell Martin; Alex AnthopoulosscottmstinsonToronto Blue Jays general manager Alex Anthopoulos speaks to reporters at the Blue Jays' Spring Training facility in Dunedin, FL.25 Oct 1993: Joe Carter is held aloft after hitting a three-run homer in the bottom of the ninth to win the World Series, four games to two, against the Philadelphia Phillies.Newly acquired Boston Red Sox free agent third baseman Pablo Sandoval smilies as he is introduced to the media at Fenway Park Tuesday, Nov. 25, 2014, in Boston. (AP Photo/Stephan Savoia)TORONTO, CANADA - APRIL 4: General manager Alex Anthopoulos of the Toronto Blue Jays talks to media befoe MLB game action against the New York Yankees on April 4, 2014 at Rogers Centre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images)Toronto Blue Jays trade J.A. Happ to Seattle Mariners for Michael Saunders, move on from Melky Cabrerahttp://o.canada.com/sports/seattle-sends-canadian-saunders-to-toronto-for-happ
http://o.canada.com/sports/seattle-sends-canadian-saunders-to-toronto-for-happ#commentsThu, 04 Dec 2014 00:11:28 +0000http://postmediacanadadotcom.wordpress.com?p=555913&preview_id=555913]]>TORONTO — Melky Cabrera will not be back with the Toronto Blue Jays, while the club’s starting rotation is going to skew very young. That is the upshot of a trade consummated Wednesday evening, which sent left-handed starter J.A. Happ to Seattle for outfielder Michael Saunders, a native of Victoria.

The Blue Jays envision Saunders as their full-time starter in left field, playing alongside Jose Bautista in right and a mystery man in centre — Dalton Pompey, Kevin Pillar and Ezequiel Carrera, signed to a minor-league deal on Wednesday, are the top candidates, although the team could make another move to shore up the position.

Good change of venues for #BlueJays’ Saunders, #Mariners’ Happ. Saunders should hit better at Rogers. Happ should pitch better at Safeco.

J.A. Happ spent parts of three seasons in Toronto. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young)

“We’ve been talking on and off about Saunders for years at various times,” Blue Jays general manager Alex Anthopoulos said Wednesday. “Jack (Zduriencik, Seattle’s general manager) and I have talked a ton and never been able to reach an agreement. Especially with Melky (Cabrera) being a free agent and having a need in left, he’s a guy that we continued to talk about. We think there’s upside with the bat. He’s already a pretty good offensive player. And we love the fact that we can have a plus defensive guy on a corner as well.

“We didn’t feel good at all about the free-agent options in left field … either because players have other places that they’d rather play first, the asking price might not fit with what we’re trying to do, the years (of the contract). There are a number of things that come into it.”

That includes Cabrera, who hit .301 with 16 home runs last year in his second season with the Blue Jays. His time with the team was likely over once the Blue Jays signed catcher Russell Martin to a five-year, $82-million US deal, but the Saunders deal made it more or less official.

Saunders, who played just 78 games last year because of an oblique strain, hit .273 with eight home runs in 2014. In 2012, he hit .247 with 19 homers and stole 21 bases. After making $2.3-million US last season, Saunders is arbitration eligible for the next two seasons, with the website MLBTradeRumours.com estimating his 2015 salary at $2.9-million US. At the start of November, the Blue Jays exercised the option in Happ’s contract that guarantees him $6.7-million US in 2015. He will become a free agent after the season.

The trade of Happ also means Aaron Sanchez, who finished last year in the Blue Jays’ bullpen, is the favourite to be the fifth starter in the rotation. Anthopoulos said Sanchez would have to earn his rotation spot, which would slot him alongside fellow young Blue Jays draft picks Marcus Stroman and Drew Hutchison as well as veterans Mark Buehrle and R.A. Dickey. Again, Anthopoulos did not close the door on the possibility of acquiring another starter, either via trade or free agency.

Marco Estrada, acquired from Milwaukee for Adam Lind, Daniel Norris, Liam Hendriks and Todd Redmond, could also push Sanchez, who had a 1.09 earned-run average and 27 strikeouts in 33 innings of relief with the Blue Jays last year. He made 20 total starts in Double-A New Hampshire and Triple-A Buffalo last year.

“He’s going to be stretched out in spring training,” Anthopoulos said of Sanchez’s opportunity to make the rotation. “It’s certainly increased his odds. But he’s still going to earn a spot right now, depending on what else we might do.”

The trade also narrows Anthopoulos’ focus, with the winter meetings set to start next week in San Diego.

“When you start the off-season, you may have five, six areas you want to address,” Anthopoulos said. “We’ve been able to knock some of those things out. Now we can really focus our attention to the bullpen. It’s probably a little easier to operate that way.

“We feel pretty good about our offence. We’d still like to upgrade second base if we could, clearly. We feel pretty good about our rotation. … But we need to do some work in the bullpen. At least we can spend a little more time on that in the trade and free-agent front.”

The Blue Jays also signed Justin Smoak to a one-year, $1-million US contract. The Blue Jays claimed Smoak, a switch-hitting first baseman, off of waivers in October, but non-tendered him on Tuesday, making him a free agent. The Jays also declined to retain the rights to Andy Dirks and John Mayberry Jr., at Tuesday night’s non-tender deadline.

Smoak, who turns 28 on Friday, had his best year in 2013 with Seattle, when he hit 19 home runs and drove in 50 runs, despite hitting just .238. Smoak played in just 80 games last season, hitting seven home runs but batting just .202.

However, Smoak is seen as an above-average defensive first baseman, likely allowing Edwin Encarnacion to be the designated hitter more often this season. Despite having nearly equal batting averages against left-handed and right-handed pitchers, the Blue Jays will likely use Smoak primarily against righties.

TORONTO — Russell Martin figured the woman — he described her as “older” — probably was once a Montreal Expos fan. And as he sat in a suburban Montreal coffee shop chatting with Paul Beeston and Alex Anthopoulos, the woman spotted Martin and broke into a smile.

Then she became perhaps the very first person on the planet to force the Montreal-raised catcher to admit publicly that he should be a Blue Jay.

“She was like, ‘You need to sign with the Blue Jays.’ I’m like, ‘All right, all right,’ ” Martin said with a smile.

Beeston, the team’s president and CEO, erupted in his familiar cackle, Martin recalled.

“He was like, ‘Aw man, that’s awesome,’ ” Martin said as he recalled the vignette during a chat with a few reporters Thursday after his formal introduction as the Blue Jays’ new $82-million US catcher.

“I’ve never been as comfortable with a signing as I’ve been with this one,” Alex Anthopoulos said of his five-deal with Russel Martin. (Nathan Denette/THE CANADIAN PRESS)

Someone suggested the woman in the coffee shop might have been a plant, slipping into the scene after Beeston gave her a secret signal during the meeting in Laval two weeks ago.

“She was a good actress if he planned it,” Martin said. “She could win a Golden Globe or something like that.”

The mysterious coffee-shop customer should at least get free season tickets, or maybe throw out a ceremonial first pitch before a game at the Rogers Centre. Beeston and Anthopoulos have to be grateful for any little help that popped up along the way in their relentless full-court press to sign Martin.

From the start of the free agency season Nov. 4, Anthopoulos and his aides were thoroughly absorbed in signing Martin, an elite defensive catcher coming off a breakout season with the bat in Pittsburgh, and a Canadian — Toronto-born, Montreal-raised — to boot.

“Our focus was on Martin,” Anthopoulos said. “That just took a lot of time and energy. We didn’t have five balls in the air. It was sole, singular focus on him.”

In the end, adding another year to their four-year offer enabled the Jays to blow past the Cubs and Dodgers.

“I’ve never been as comfortable with a signing as I’ve been with this one,” Anthopoulos said.

For Martin, the deal was about contract length and money — these things usually are — but it didn’t hurt that he grew up rooting first for the Expos, and then, in the Jays’ World Series years of 1992 and 1993, for the team of Joe Carter and Tom Henke and Kelly Gruber.

“It’s almost surreal right now, having a Blue Jays’ jersey on, from being a kid five or six years old watching TV, back in the day,” Martin said.

He was speaking during a news conference that was televised live across his native land, followed by a lengthy dissection of the trade by a six-man team on a network owned by Rogers Communications, the company that also owns the team and recently raised the price of tickets to watch Martin play next season.

Anthopoulos said he had never worked so hard, and involved so many people in the due-diligence and recruitment process, in order to sign a free agent. (Granted, his previous free agents lacked Martin’s cachet.)

Offence, defence, character, leadership — Martin has it all, the GM insisted, over and over again, during the news conference and in scrums afterward. At times, he made Martin sound like the second coming of Johnny Bench, fuelling the emotions of fans inclined toward both optimism and cynicism.

“It’s just so rare that you have the perfect fit,” the GM said.

Perfect fit? A catcher who, before batting .290 with a .402 on-base percentage last year, hit .234 with a .332 OBP over the previous five seasons?

To hear Anthopoulos tell it, Martin’s 2014 season means more than his previous eight with the Dodgers, Yankees and Pirates.

He described Martin as a “complete player” who makes his teammates better because of his work ethic and even-keeled leadership.

Under contract through 2019, by which time he will be 36 and his salary $20-million US, Martin will age well, Anthopoulous predicted. That was just one item on the GM’s checklist. After he and his staff investigated Martin’s background, all the way back to his youth in Montreal, they were able to “check off every box,” Anthopoulos said

“He uses the whole field, can put the ball in play, can draw a walk, his swing is great, great athlete from an aging standpoint, takes care of himself,” the GM just said, just getting warmed up.

And Martin is accomplished at blocking and framing pitches and throwing out runners and mentoring young pitchers, of which the Jays have a bunch.

After the tiniest pause, Anthopoulos added, “I know I’m going on and on.”

Later, Martin smiled again when he was asked about the selling job Anthopoulos did during a whirlwind two-week courtship.

“Alex, he’s not afraid to speak,” Martin said. “He’s not afraid to take charge when it comes to talking. He was just very vocal about how much he wanted me to be a part of the team. He felt like it was a perfect fit.”

Anthopoulos stressed that it took a multitude – from Rogers CEO Guy Laurence to the scouting department to payroll director Brenda Dimmer — to make the deal happen. And the way he talked, it wouldn’t be surprising if he hired a private detective or two.

“We did so much work on this guy, it’s unbelievable,” the GM said.

Anthopoulos used the word perfect so often to describe Martin that it did sound unbelievable. In roughly four months, it will be the perfect Canadian catcher’s turn to make believers of Blue Jays fans.

The future of general manager Alex Anthopoulos has been the subject of much speculation in recent weeks. He overhauled the roster two years ago but the Blue Jays have gone 157-167 since and extended their playoff drought to 21 years with an 83-79 finish this past season.

“Alex I can say for a fact is back,” Beeston said Friday in an interview on Sportsnet 590 The Fan.

Toronto Blue Jays president and CEO Paul Beeston, right, told Sportsnet 590 The Fan radio station that general manager Alex Anthopoulos will return next season. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette

Anthopoulos has been with the franchise for over a decade and has served as GM for the last five years.

“He hasn’t finished what he started out to do,” Beeston said. “I’m 100 per cent supportive of him. I think that he has done a very good job. I think we are now seeing the benefits of what happened with his development (and) his investment in the farm system.

“I think that’s only going to be better for the future.”

Beeston also said he expected manager John Gibbons to return next year. Anthopoulos has also voiced his confidence in the Blue Jays skipper, who has a rolling contract that kicks in every Jan. 1.

The Blue Jays had a strong first half in 2014 but struggled after the all-star break and fell out of the playoff picture last month.

Beeston said the team’s payroll of about US$135-137 million will rise in 2015. The 69-year-old native of Welland, Ont., also confirmed that he’s in the last year of his contract but said he has no plans to leave the organization.

“I’m here as long as Rogers wants me here,” he said. “I enjoy what I’m doing.”

Also Friday, the Blue Jays announced they have outrighted infielder Munenori Kawasaki, first baseman Dan Johnson and catcher George Kottaras to triple-A Buffalo. Johnson and Kottaras, a Toronto native, have both elected free agency.

]]>http://o.canada.com/sports/baseball/blue-jays-president-says-gm-alex-anthopoulos-will-return-next-year/feed0Alex AnthopoulosthecanadianpressToronto Blue Jays President and CEO Paul Beeston, right, and general manager Alex Anthopoulos talk as they watch the Blue Jays during baseball spring training in Dunedin, Fla., on Sunday, Feb. 17, 2013. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette ORG XMIT: NSD106Blue Jays bats pound Hernandez, dim Mariners’ playoff hopeshttp://o.canada.com/sports/baseball/blue-jays-bats-pound-hernandez-dim-mariners-playoff-hopes
http://o.canada.com/sports/baseball/blue-jays-bats-pound-hernandez-dim-mariners-playoff-hopes#commentsWed, 24 Sep 2014 02:19:10 +0000http://o.canada.com/?p=518571]]>TORONTO — The Toronto Blue Jays post their lineup just outside of their Rogers Centre clubhouse, allowing easy and equal access to the card to both the players and the assembled media. More than three hours before the game on Tuesday, four reporters were huddled around the lineup, in disbelief.

That is when utility infielder Munenori Kawasaki sidestepped the throng to get a closer look. Then, depending on which observer you ask, Kawasaki chuckled, giggled or guffawed. Kawasaki knew what the reporters knew: No matter how much you admire his enthusiasm, keen eye and ability to put the ball in play, Kawasaki does not belong in the fifth spot of a major-league lineup. Probably not in Triple-A, either.

Kawasaki led a bottom five of the order that had managed three home runs this year in 760 at-bats. Perhaps Blue Jays manager John Gibbons just decided Seattle starter Felix Hernandez would dismantle any nine-man unit, so it hardly mattered.

Munenori Kawasaki of the Blue Jays hits an RBI groundout in the sixth inning during MLB game action against the Seattle Mariners on Sept. 23, 2014, at Rogers Centre in Toronto. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images)

“Why not?” Gibbons said after the game when asked if Kawasaki would bat fifth again. “Gives you guys something to talk about.”

Then that lineup went out and gave Hernandez his worst beating of the year. Keyed by Dalton Pompey’s first major-league home run, the Jays scored seven runs in the fifth inning, winning 10-2. On Monday, the Blue Jays pounded Seattle 14-4.

At 4 2/3 innings, it was Hernandez’s shortest start of the year, and gave R.A. Dickey his 14th win. It hurt Seattle’s dwindling post-season hopes. The Jays, however, were eliminated after Kansas City beat Cleveland 7-1.

Pompey’s mammoth blast was part of a nice night for that bottom five: four hits, four runs and five runs batted in between the players.

Seattle Mariners starting pitcher Felix Hernandez, centre, leaves the mound after being pulled from the game against the Blue Jays during fifth-inning AL action in Toronto on Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2014. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette

“I think it’s one of the things that makes baseball unique,” said Dickey, before making reference to Hernandez and Monday’s starter for Seattle, James Paxton. “If you would have told me we would have scored 24 runs off of those two guys in this series, I would have been happy with three a game.

“Felix might not have had his best stuff tonight, but that guy’s a champion. Any time you can get to him, it’s a testament to how well you did that night.”

It made no sense. Much like you are not supposed to defeat the Los Angeles Dodgers when Clayton Kershaw is on the mound, Hernandez’s presence usually renders his team unbeatable.

The Mariners entered Tuesday’s game 21-11 in Hernandez’s 32 starts and an even 62-62 in the rest of their 124 games. The Dodgers, meanwhile, have lost just one of Kershaw’s last 20 starts and are 22-4 in his appearances. They are just three games over .500 in the rest of their games. They are average teams turned great by the game’s biggest variable.

R.A. Dickey of the Blue Jays delivers a pitch in the first inning against the Seattle Mariners on Sept. 23, 2014, at Rogers Centre in Toronto. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images)

The Jays’ staff is something else entirely. The Toronto rotation has probably been better than expected. It is miles ahead of last year’s rotation, which was decimated by injuries and featured spot-starting journeyman after spot-starting journeyman. Still, the Blue Jays are 11th in the American League in starters’ earned-run average and 10th in fielding independent pitching.

The Blue Jays do not have that one guy who is a virtually guaranteed win. Dickey was supposed to be that player when the Jays surrendered two of their best prospects for him coming off his National League Cy Young. However, the nature of his knuckleball promised unpredictability. Dickey has been a reliable innings eater in his time in Toronto — he consumed seven more on Tuesday — and he has enjoyed an excellent September. The Blue Jays are 16-17 when he starts, though, which says plenty about him and the team in general.

There is no obvious candidate to become an ace of the Blue Jays’ six internal applicants for rotation membership. In their third, second and first season as starters, Drew Hutchison, Marcus Stroman and Aaron Sanchez should be aiming for incremental improvement and good health. Dominance for any of them next year would be far ahead of schedule. Dickey and Mark Buehrle are good for 30-plus starts and league-average ERAs. J.A. Happ is having his best season in Toronto and his ERA is still floating above 4.00. Rogers is not about to OK the expenditure of more than US$100-million on Jon Lester and Alex Anthopoulos proved at the trade deadline he did not want to surrender the prospects necessary to deal for an ace.

Of course, the Blue Jays have had great pitchers during their 21 years in the playoff wilderness — Roger Clemens, Roy Halladay — and have still failed to get to 90 wins. That is where you have to credit the Mariners: Seattle locked up Hernandez to a long-term contract and then signed second baseman Robinson Cano to a huge deal. Cano’s 10-year pact will look gruesome before long, but Seattle is trying to maximize Hernandez’s peak. This year, Cano has propped up an otherwise light-hitting lineup, although they are about to fall short of 90, too.

The conclusion should be obvious: There are precisely as many paths to success as there are to abject mediocrity, although the Blue Jays are certainly exhausting the list of possible routes to the latter.

]]>http://o.canada.com/sports/baseball/blue-jays-bats-pound-hernandez-dim-mariners-playoff-hopes/feed0Seattle Mariners v Toronto Blue Jayspostmedianews1Munenori Kawasaki of the Blue Jays hits an RBI groundout in the sixth inning during MLB game action against the Seattle Mariners on Sept. 23, 2014, at Rogers Centre in Toronto. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images) Seattle Mariners starting pitcher Felix Hernandez, centre, leaves the mound after being pulled from the game against the Blue Jays during fifth-inning AL action in Toronto on Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2014. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette R.A. Dickey of the Blue Jays delivers a pitch in the first inning against the Seattle Mariners on Sept. 23, 2014, at Rogers Centre in Toronto. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images) Scott Stinson: Another losing year for inept Blue Jayshttp://o.canada.com/sports/football/nfl-sports/scott-stinson-another-losing-year-for-inept-blue-jays
http://o.canada.com/sports/football/nfl-sports/scott-stinson-another-losing-year-for-inept-blue-jays#commentsSat, 20 Sep 2014 02:58:33 +0000http://o.canada.com/?p=516848]]>Entering Friday’s games, the Kansas City Royals trailed the Detroit Tigers by a half game in the AL Central and were a half game up in the race for a wild-card playoff spot. Math suggests the Royals have a 78 per cent chance of ending a 28-year post-season drought.

That would leave the Toronto Blue Jays, at 20 years and counting, with the longest gap in Major League Baseball between post-season appearances.

It has come to this, then: the Jays face the possibility of becoming the baseball version of the Buffalo Bills.

After two decades in which every other team in baseball has at least once managed to do what it cannot — compete in an actual playoff race — there are no excuses left for the Blue Jays. Toronto fans are used to the constant jokes about the ineptitude of the city’s hockey franchise, but somewhere along the way, almost by stealth, the baseball team has become just as much of a place where hope goes to die. The longest Jays playoff drought before this one was only eight years — and that began with the birth of a franchise and a roster constructed from bailing wire, chewing gum and wet matchsticks.

Money isn’t the only reason the Blue Jays are missing the playoffs again — but their inability to add depth at the trade deadline didn’t help.(Kathy Kmonicek/AP)

How did this happen? How did the once-mighty Blue Jays become so thoroughly irrelevant? They have had great hitters and great pitchers, but never enough of them at the same time. They have had veteran managers and those who were inexperienced but came with great credentials. They changed the uniforms, mascots, turf, announcers (so many times!) and the restaurant in the outfield. And through most of it, the one constant has been the one thing most unlikely to change: ownership.

For a good chunk of this 20-year absence from games that really felt like they mattered, the Jays, and fans who wanted to console themselves, could put forward a reasonable explanation: it was just too difficult to compete with the free-spending ways of division rivals New York and Boston. This argument had some merit. It wasn’t simply that the Yankees and Red Sox could go out and bid for big-name free agents year after year, it was that they could also keep their own star players without having to worry about a large-market predator swooping in when the player hit free agency. The long run of Yankees success wasn’t keyed just by the players they brought in, but by those — Derek Jeter, Mariano Rivera, Jorge Posada — they didn’t lose.

But the payroll defence has long since rung hollow. Tampa Bay and Oakland, the thriftiest of teams from the smallest of markets, have made multiple post-season appearances, while the addition of the second wild-card team last season allowed wee little Pittsburgh into the playoff mix and could do the same for it and Kansas City this season.

So money on its own is not a ticket to the playoffs. There’s no denying that it helps, though. If the season ended today, five teams in the post-season would be in the top third of payrolls, two would be in the middle third, and two would be in the bottom third.

For long stretches of their time in the wilderness, the Jays pretended to be a small-market team with payroll in the bottom half of the league, often the bottom third. This was true even though many of the factors that allowed teams like the Yankees and Red Sox to throw money around applied to the Blue Jays as well: they play in a large market, they own their stadium, they own their own regional sports television network, which is in fact a national sports network. And yet, even when the team finally moved into the upper tier of payrolls with GM Alex Anthopoulos’s all-in move in the 2012 off-season, it almost immediately went back to being thrifty.

How did the once-mighty Blue Jays become so thoroughly irrelevant? (Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images)

Though the famously inscrutable Anthopoulos has avoided saying that Rogers Communications clamped down on payroll after the disastrous 2013 season, that’s the conclusion that has to be drawn from the GM’s engineering of salary deferrals among some of his high-priced veterans as he freed up cash in a failed bid to pursue Ervin Santana last off-season. And, though Anthopoulos claimed that “resources” were available to him prior to the summer trade deadline in which he did nothing of substance, with apologies to Danny Valencia, there were a number of big-payroll teams that simply took on more salary in pursuit of winning now. That’s what you do. Detroit added David Price and San Francisco added Jake Peavy to their rotations, classic money-bully moves because neither pitcher is signed beyond this season.

Toronto’s continued failures can’t entirely be blamed on the frugality of its owners, however frustrating it is for fans who see a huge, profitable corporation that just dropped $5-billion on NHL broadcast rights. Luck also refuses to bless this team, particularly in the Anthopoulos years, which have seen many a prized asset turn into pumpkins.

But when Toronto once again became a big-money team, it needed to commit to the spend. Its best players are either old, nearing the end of their contracts, or both. It’s a win-now roster with a let’s-not-be-hasty attitude from ownership.

Does Rogers, with a new chief executive, even see the team as a key asset? On my Rogers phone, I recently received a cold-call text asking me to subscribe to the NHL GameCentre package. My phone has never once suggested I buy Jays tickets.

No, money isn’t the only reason the Blue Jays are missing the playoffs again. But the last time the team did make the post-season, in 1993? They had the highest payroll in baseball.

]]>http://o.canada.com/sports/football/nfl-sports/scott-stinson-another-losing-year-for-inept-blue-jays/feed0J.A. HappscottmstinsonMoney isn’t the only reason the Blue Jays are missing the playoffs again -- but their inability to add depth at the trade deadline didn't help. (Kathy Kmonicek/AP) How did the once-mighty Blue Jays become so thoroughly irrelevant? (Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images)Marcus Stroman shines as Toronto Blue Jays topple Tampa Bay Rayshttp://o.canada.com/sports/stroman-shines-morrow-waits-as-blue-jays-topple-rays
http://o.canada.com/sports/stroman-shines-morrow-waits-as-blue-jays-topple-rays#commentsThu, 04 Sep 2014 03:25:41 +0000http://o.canada.com/?p=508761]]>ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Brandon Morrow has no choice but to pitch in relief this month. After spending four months on the disabled list, there is no time for him to rebuild his stamina and rejoin the Toronto Blue Jays’ rotation.

Manager John Gibbons has suggested a move to the bullpen might help the oft-injured Morrow to stay healthy. But as Morrow sees it, his September bullpen assignment is a necessary evil, not the herald of a new career path.

“I think I could still be effective as a starter,” he said before the Blue Jays beat the Tampa Bay Rays 7-4, a game in which Marcus Stroman was very effective as a starter. “I think that’s where you get your most important innings. I’d like to, going forward, be in that role next year and beyond.”

Which might well mean that Morrow will be starting for another team. Given his on-again, off-again career as a Toronto starter, the Jays are unlikely to pick up his $10-million club option. If management opts to buy him out for US$1-million, he said he still would listen to an offer to stay under a new deal, should the Jays be so inclined.

Managers John Gibbons of the Toronto Blue Jays and Joe Maddon of the Tampa Bay Rays speak with umpire Gary Cederstrom #38 as they call a weather-related in the game due to a partial lighting outage during the third inning of a game on September 3, 2014 at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida. (Brian Blanco/Getty Images)

But the off-season market for starters will be ripe, as usual. And the Jays will have a crowd competing for their 2015 rotation.

Morrow made three relief appearances during his minor-league rehab assignment after a long layoff to recover from a torn tendon sheath in his right index finger. He was activated Tuesday and has not pitched for the Jays since May 2.

Against Tampa Bay, Stroman breezed through six innings, despite having his session interrupted in the third inning when a lightning strike at a nearby sub-station took out a single bank of lights behind home plate at Tropicana Field. The foot-candle reduction was not noticeable, but the umpiring crew acceded to Rays manager Joe Maddon’s demand that play cease until power was restored. That took 30 minutes, after which Stroman completed a strikeout of Jose Molina with one pitch.

Stroman allowed two runs on seven hits. The rookie right-hander improved to 8-5 with a 3.36 ERA as a starter.

Dioner Navarro and Edwin Encarnacion each hit two-run homers for the Jays, who have won four in a row and five of six. They sit 4 1/2 games behind Detroit for the second wild-card spot with 24 games to go.

The win guaranteed the Jays a series win in Tampa for the first time since 2007.

Marcus Stroman of the Toronto Blue Jays pitches during the fourth inning of a game against the Tampa Bay Rays on September 3, 2014 at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida. (Brian Blanco/Getty Images)

“For one series we got the monkey off our back,” Gibbon said. “Now you’ve got to be greedy and go out there and win that one tomorrow – come up with a great series.”

During the past off-season, Gibbons and general manager Alex Anthopoulos repeatedly observed that a flourishing Morrow was a key to the team’s success in 2014. After a strong season in 2012, he missed the final four months of last season with a compressed nerve in his forearm. In 2012, he missed more than two months with an oblique strain, but still went 10-7 with a 2.96 ERA.

To the frequent criticism that he is injury-prone, Morrow replied: “I guess I have been prone to injury. I don’t think that means anything in the future — that because I’ve been prone to injury in the past that I’ll be injury prone in the future. There’s been guys that have gone through issues for a couple years and come back and had five, six healthy years in a row.”

Morrow’s series of unusual injuries has not included chronic arm problems. He said he has not thought much about his future, but given his track record, he can understand the Jays deciding to part ways with him or try to bring him back.

Toronto Blue Jays relief pitcher Aaron Sanchez, right, shakes hands with catcher Dioner Navarro after closing out the Tampa Bay Rays during the ninth inning of a baseball game Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2014, in St. Petersburg, Fla. The Blue Jays won the game 7-4. (Chris O’Meara/AP)

“They’ll do everything in their best interests,” he said. “You wouldn’t blame them for cutting me loose because of what happened. I think I’ve given them reasons in the past (to keep me) and look forward to (the Jays) bringing me back as well.”

But starting remains his goal. He sounded very much like a pitcher ready to test the free-agent market with that priority in mind.

“I’ll be happy to pitch wherever I’m pitching,” he said. “I’ve been hurt the majority of the last two years, so I’m just happy to be healthy. I just want to be in the game.”

]]>http://o.canada.com/sports/stroman-shines-morrow-waits-as-blue-jays-topple-rays/feed0Toronto Blue Jays v Tampa Bay Rayspostmedianews1Managers John Gibbons of the Toronto Blue Jays and Joe Maddon of the Tampa Bay Rays speak with umpire Gary Cederstrom #38 as they call a weather-related in the game due to a partial lighting outage during the third inning of a game on September 3, 2014 at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida. (Brian Blanco/Getty Images) Marcus Stroman of the Toronto Blue Jays pitches during the fourth inning of a game against the Tampa Bay Rays on September 3, 2014 at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida. (Brian Blanco/Getty Images) Toronto Blue Jays relief pitcher Aaron Sanchez, right, shakes hands with catcher Dioner Navarro after closing out the Tampa Bay Rays during the ninth inning of a baseball game Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2014, in St. Petersburg, Fla. The Blue Jays won the game 7-4. (Chris O'Meara/AP) Edwin Encarnacion rehabs with Buffalo Bisons, closer to rejoining Toronto Blue Jayshttp://o.canada.com/sports/edwin-encarnacion-rehabs-with-buffalo-bisons-closer-to-rejoining-toronto-blue-jays
http://o.canada.com/sports/edwin-encarnacion-rehabs-with-buffalo-bisons-closer-to-rejoining-toronto-blue-jays#commentsWed, 13 Aug 2014 19:57:02 +0000http://postmediacanadadotcom.wordpress.com/?p=498987]]>BUFFALO, N.Y. — With one sweet swing, Edwin Encarnacion showed the Toronto Blue Jays what they hope to be getting back soon.

After missing more than a month with a strained right quadriceps muscle, Encarnacion is close to rejoining the Blue Jays in the middle of their playoff chase. Now on a minor-league rehab stint with the triple-A Buffalo Bisons, Encarnacion is one step away, and on Tuesday night he showed evidence of his progress by hitting a first-pitch, no-doubt grand slam.

Encarnacion, who led off as the designated hitter, went 1 for 4 with the grand slam, a fly out, a pop up and a ground out. He reported no problems after the Bisons’ 7-5 victory.

“It’s a lot of fun to be playing and have a game like today,” Encarnacion said. “I feel great with my leg, that’s the main thing right now. It feels great: no problems swinging, no problems running.”

Edwin Encarnacion hit a grand slam while going 1-for-4 as DH in rehab start at Buffalo. Set to play first base for Bisons on Wednesday.

With the bases loaded in the second inning Encarnacion made short work of a first-pitch slider from Norfolk Tides starter Steve Johnson, showing the right-handed power stroke the Blue Jays could desperately use by smacking the ball over the fence in left.

“I was just looking for something in the strike zone and make a good swing on it,” Encarnacion said. “He handed me the slider and I made a good swing on it.”

The plan is for Encarnacion to play two more games with the Bisons before meeting up with the Blue Jays on Friday in Chicago. Despite missing the past month, the 31-year-old still leads the team in home runs (26) and trails only Jose Bautista in runs batted in (70).

After suffering a recent setback that delayed his return to the injury-ravaged Blue Jays, the main objective during the final step of Encarnacion’s rehab is to get him to the majors in one piece.

Edwin Encarnacion is assisted off the field by trainers after sustaining an injury during the first inning against the Oakland Athletics July 5, 2014 in Oakland. (Jason O. Watson/Getty Images)

“I don’t know if he’s quite there where he wants to be with his leg there. But we’ll play that by ear,” manager Gary Allenson said before the game. “Keeping him healthy through the next couple days is important.”

When Encarnacion was injured in Oakland on July 5, the Blue Jays were half-game back of the Baltimore Orioles in the AL East. Going into Tuesday night’s game at the Seattle Mariners they were six back, making the second wild-card spot their most realistic shot of reaching the playoffs.

Encarnacion has watched every game since going on the disabled list and been in communication with his teammates.

“I’ve been talking to every guy,” he said. “They want to see me there soon.”

Recently, the Blue Jays have had to try to stay afloat without Encarnacion, first baseman Adam Lind and third baseman Brett Lawrie. Lind (fractured right foot) was activated in time to bat cleanup against the Mariners on Tuesday, while Lawrie (straight left oblique) is out until at least September.

Toronto manager John Gibbons said last week his hope was to have Encarnacion and Lind split first-base and designated-hitting duties when they returned, which would allow Juan Francisco and Danny Valencia to platoon at third. Encarnacion wants to be back sooner rather than later, but not at the expense of quality hitting.

“I just try to be available to play not 100 per cent but close to help my team win games,” he said. “I don’t want to go there and play only 50 or 60 per cent because I (wouldn’t) help my team. I want to make sure that I’ll be 100 per cent and be healthy to help my team.”

Although Allenson joked that the slugger might not be the ideal lead-off hitter, Encarnacion was there to maximize his at-bats. He’s expected to play first base Wednesday night, with Thursday afternoon’s game plan still up in the air.

No matter the plan, outfielder Kevin Pillar, who appeared in 26 games for the Blue Jays this season, doesn’t think it hurts to have Encarnacion in Buffalo’s lineup for a little while.

“It’s always nice having guys like Eddie come down and if you can just pick his brain for a day or two and just get a chance to watch him hit, I’m pretty sure he’s not going to miss a beat,” Pillar said. “Watching a guy like him come into spring training without maybe a whole lot of live pitching and hit the way he does, it’ll just be fun for us and fun for the people of Buffalo to get a chance to see him play.”

Knowing he’s in charge of a major asset for the parent club, Allenson said a decision to send Encarnacion home from third might be a little more conservative than with other players. Blue Jays GM Alex Anthopoulos said “explosive movements” while running were the biggest concern for Encarnacion.

“I think that’s what he might need to protect,” Anthopoulos said last week. “If he’s hitting a chopper down the third-base line and he’s really trying to sprint down the line or he’s trying to stretch an extra-base hit and things like that.”

Perhaps even more telling than the grand slam was Encarnacion’s grounder that made him test his quadriceps running down the first base line.

“I feel good,” he said. “I feel great and I think everything’s going to be all right.”

Steps away from being back with the Blue Jays, Encarnacion won’t be expected to push himself too hard the rest of this week as he inches back.

“If he just goes up when he gets done here, goes up and DHs, that’s a big bat to have in the lineup,” Allenson said. “More than anything for Edwin, as long as he gets his timing down, sees some pitches and gets comfortable where he gets it going again it will be just fine.”

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]]>http://o.canada.com/sports/edwin-encarnacion-rehabs-with-buffalo-bisons-closer-to-rejoining-toronto-blue-jays/feed0Edwin EncarnacionthecanadianpressEdwin Encarnacion is assisted off the field by trainers after sustaining an injury during the first inning against the Oakland Athletics July 5, 2014 in Oakland. (Jason O. Watson/Getty Images) J.A. Happ’s superb outing not enough as Toronto Blue Jays lose 2-1 to Baltimore Orioleshttp://o.canada.com/sports/happs-superb-outing-not-enough-as-jays-lose-2-1-to-orioles
http://o.canada.com/sports/happs-superb-outing-not-enough-as-jays-lose-2-1-to-orioles#commentsFri, 08 Aug 2014 03:00:28 +0000http://o.canada.com/?p=496421]]>TORONTO – Two hours before the start of this showdown series, Baltimore Orioles manager Buck Showalter was discussing how his team had weathered the loss of several key players to injury and still managed to wind up in first place in August.

Mainly by calling up players developed in the Orioles’ own organization to fill the holes, he explained. And he observed that every team must cope with injuries, pointing quickly to the sorely wounded team in the third-base dugout, the Toronto Blue Jays.

But, Showalter added, “There’s just so many of those things you can withstand.”

Jose Bautista of the Toronto Blue Jays and Jose Reyes look on from the top step of the dugout against the Baltimore Orioles on August 7, 2014 at Rogers Centre in Toronto. (Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images)

After a 2-1 loss to Baltimore, the Blue Jays may be teetering on that tipping point. Melky Cabrera, their most consistent hitter, took a 91 mph fastball off his right elbow in the first inning and had to leave the game.

X-rays were negative and Cabrera, who has missed only one game all season, is listed as day-to-day. His elbow was clearly sore and swollen, and it would be surprising if he doesn’t miss at least a couple of games.

Of Cabrera’s injury, he said, “I don’t think it’s a big deal.” Then he quickly added that he has often said that before about injuries and proved to be incorrect.

Cabrera, who was the designated hitter, tried to hit off a tee under the stands before his next at-bat but his elbow “just locked up on him,” Gibbons said.

J.A. Happ of the Toronto Blue Jays looks on in the first inning against the Baltimore Orioles on August 7, 2014 at Rogers Centre in Toronto. (Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images)

Cabrera was plunked on the same day that Brett Lawrie landed on the disabled list, only two days after he came off. General manager Alex Anthopoulos said before the game that two other injured players, Adam Lind and Edwin Encarnacion, should return soon, Lind within a few days and Encarnacion likely sometime next week.

But the Jays, who lost of two of three to Baltimore, have not been able to deploy Lawrie, Lind and Encarnacion in the same game since June 21. During that span, their record is 19-21.

Thursday’s loss wasted a superb pitching performance by J.A. Happ and dropped the Jays into a second-place tie with the Yankees, five games behind the Orioles.

The game drew a paid crowd of 34,676, who were boisterous in their support for the Jays until the final out. Paid attendance for the three games was 103,913.

Given Baltimore’s record of terrific pitching, the Jays knew they would need exemplary work from their starters to have a chance in this series. They got it in the second and third games, but left Happ dangling by failing to come up with key hits on the few occasions they mounted anything resembling a threat against starter Miguel Gonzalez.

Happ worked out of a couple of early jams, then breezed, retiring the last 13 batters he faced, seven by strikeout, in an eight-inning session. He whiffed a career-high 12. Over his past four starts, his ERA is 2.05.

The previous night, the Jays won behind Drew Hutchison, who allowed one hit in 8 2/3 innings. Happ said he hoped that kind of pitching will spread throughout the rotation.

“We’d love to get on a roll,” he said. “(The starters) feel good overall, I think, about how things have gone. But at the same time, especially with the teams coming up, we’re going to need it.”

Toronto Blue Jays’ Melky Cabrera reacts after getting hit by a pitch from Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher Miguel Gonzalez during the first inning in Toronto Thursday August 7, 2014. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Fred Thornhill)

Homers accounted for all the scoring. Caleb Joseph’s two-run shot in the fourth was one of five hits off Happ. Toronto’s Anthony Gose hit a rainbow over the left-field wall in the fifth.

The Jays have lost five of their past six games, the opposition outscoring them 29-13 in that span.

As they continue to pepper their lineup with reserves and castoffs, and with Lawrie gone for about another month, Anthopoulos insisted he still has no regrets about coming up empty at the July 31 trade deadline.

“No,” he said, “not for what it was going to take for us to have to surrender some of those (major-league) players … There wasn’t any deal that we really had to agonize over.”

And even though he tried to make trades, “we never got close,” he said, “ just because the (asking price)wouldn’t have made our team better.”

COMING UP
Detroit at the Rogers Centre, with Anibal Sanchez, Max Scherzer and David Price on the mound. Then it’s off to Seattle to face Felix Hernandez, Chris Young and Hisashi Iwakuma. The ERAs of those guys range from 1.97 to 3.37.

“That’s the big leagues, Gibbons said. “If you’re going to win, you’ve got to beat those guys because they’re all right in it. If you’re good enough, you’ll do it. If you’re not, you won’t. It’s pretty simple. But if we pitch like we have the last couple nights, we’ll at least give ourselves a good shot.”

]]>http://o.canada.com/sports/happs-superb-outing-not-enough-as-jays-lose-2-1-to-orioles/feed0Baltimore Orioles v Toronto Blue Jayspostmedianews1Jose Bautista of the Toronto Blue Jays and Jose Reyes look on from the top step of the dugout during MLB game action against the Baltimore Orioles on August 7, 2014 at Rogers Centre in Toronto. (Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images) J.A. Happ of the Toronto Blue Jays looks on in the first inning during MLB game action against the Baltimore Orioles on August 7, 2014 at Rogers Centre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images)Toronto Blue Jays' Melky Cabrera reacts after getting hit by a pitch from Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher Miguel Gonzalez during first inning AL baseball game action in Toronto Thursday August 7, 2014. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Fred Thornhill)Masahiro Tanaka in total control as New York Yankees down Toronto Blue Jays 3-1http://o.canada.com/sports/tanaka-in-total-control-as-yankees-down-jays-3-1
http://o.canada.com/sports/tanaka-in-total-control-as-yankees-down-jays-3-1#commentsWed, 18 Jun 2014 02:40:30 +0000http://o.canada.com/?p=467755]]>NEW YORK – The evening started in upbeat fashion for Marcus Stroman. Before the game, his entourage of family and friends assembled in the seats closest to the right-field line to cheer him on as he played long-toss in left field. They applauded as he departed for the bullpen to warm up, and again when he made the long walk across the outfield to the visitors’ bench.

After moving to their seats near the Toronto Blue Jays’ third-base dugout, they cheered when Jose Reyes hit the game’s first pitch into the right field seats, and when their favourite son retired the Yankees in order in the first inning.

On a hot, muggy night in Yankee Stadium, Stroman wore long sleeves and a confident air as he pitched for the first time in the city he calls home. (Medford, Long Island isn’t NYC, but it’s close enough.) However, he soon fell victim to a weapon long used by the Yankees and another they just picked up this year for a mere US$175-million.

Toronto Blue Jays Brett Lawrie reacts to a strike thrown by New York Yankees relief pitcher Dellin Betances in the eighth inning of a baseball game against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium in New York, Tuesday, June 17, 2014. (Kathy Willens/AP)

The old habit was their batters’ fiendish patience. The new weapon was Masahiro Tanaka. The result was a 3-1 victory for the Yankees, who cut Toronto’s lead in the American League East to 3 1/2 games.

Stroman’s pitch count soared to 98 before he left after 3 2/3 innings. To that point, the Yankees’ only runs had come on Brett Gardner’s two-run homer off the right-field foul pole in the third. But in that inning, Stroman had to throw 36 pitches to get through seven batters.

“That’s kind of what they do,” Stroman said. “They foul a bunch of pitches off and get you pretty deep in the count. I was pretty deep in a lot of counts all day.”
The Yankees hit 25 foul balls off Stroman. Gardner, the first batter he faced, fouled off seven pitches in a 12-pitch at-bat. In the fourth, Carlos Beltran fouled off seven more in an 11-pitch appearance.

Stroman had lasted six innings in each of his three previous starts. His highest pitch count was 96. The Yankees simply wore him down.

Meanwhile, Tanaka was invincible after that first pitch to Reyes. The Japanese “rookie” had a few early command problems, but in six innings he struck out 10, including one stretch in which he whiffed Reyes, Melky Cabrera, Jose Bautista and Edwin Encarnacion in succession, serving up an assortment of well-placed fastballs and dipping, darting off-speed pitches.

“Everything he (throws), it comes in on the same plane,” Jays manager John Gibbons said. “It goes this way, that way, down. He never gives in. He’s a guy that can throw anything at any time. He’s a special guy.”

Derek Jeter #2 of the New York Yankees reacts after missing the ball on a swing against the Toronto Blue Jays during their game at Yankee Stadium on June 17, 2014 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Al Bello/Getty Images)

Special indeed. Tanaka improved his record to 11-1 and dropped his ERA from 2.02 to 1.99. The Yankees are 12-2 in his starts and 24-31 when someone else starts.

Given Tanaka’s domination against virtually every opponent, it is perhaps unfair to bring up the Blue Jays’ scoring slump (three runs or fewer in eight of their past 11 games, for starters). Suffice to say that after Tanaka left, their futility continued against Dellin Betances and David Robertson, who struck out five more batters, bringing the total to 15.

Munenori Kawasaki, called up from Buffalo earlier in the day, started at second base. He went 18-for-64 (.281) against Tanaka when both played in Japan, but this time went 0-for-3 with two strikeouts against his countryman. Kawasaki tripled against Robertson in the ninth when Gardner missed in his bid for a diving catch in left field.

Before the game, general manager Alex Anthopoulos insisted he placed no extra stock in this series between his first-place team and it closest pursuer in the American League East.

“We tend to forget, I know we keep saying it, but there’s so many games left (that) who we play today in a three-game series is irrelevant in the grand scheme of things,” Anthopoulos said. “Sure, it’s AL East, you want to win, but I don’t make any more of this series than I would an important series in September if we’re in the hunt.”

Which sounded vaguely like he does regard this series as a tad more important than most.

As for Stroman, he said he was “not discouraged” by the draining start. And his family and friends gave him a big boost.

“It was awesome, to walk in from the bullpen and have a huge section cheering for you,” he said.

After the game, the Jays announced that Colby Rasmus will return from his injury rehab assignment Wednesday. Anthony Gose goes back to Buffalo. In six rehab games with Buffalo, Rasmus went 3-for-22 with nine strikeouts.

]]>http://o.canada.com/sports/tanaka-in-total-control-as-yankees-down-jays-3-1/feed0Toronto Blue Jays v New York Yankeespostmedianews1Toronto Blue Jays Brett Lawrie reacts to a strike thrown by New York Yankees relief pitcher Dellin Betances in the eighth inning of a baseball game against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium in New York, Tuesday, June 17, 2014. (Kathy Willens/AP) Derek Jeter #2 of the New York Yankees reacts after missing the ball on a swing against the Toronto Blue Jays during their game at Yankee Stadium on June 17, 2014 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Al Bello/Getty Images) Blue Jays will have to win with what they’ve gothttp://o.canada.com/sports/blue-jays-will-have-to-win-with-what-theyve-got
http://o.canada.com/sports/blue-jays-will-have-to-win-with-what-theyve-got#commentsSat, 05 Apr 2014 00:48:46 +0000http://postmediacanadadotcom.wordpress.com/?p=422769]]>Ladies and gentlemen, your 2014 Toronto Blue Jays. The home opener in this town is usually a savage sort of ceremony, filled with too many people who are out of control, whether the mayor is in the building or not. But last season it felt different. The Jays were going for it this time. The Jays were in. Dome or no dome, the sky was the limit. The season was a smoking crater, of course, but as the poets wrote, there’s always next year.

And so we come to this team, and what it can be. Dustin McGowan started the home opener Friday against the New York Yankees, and that alone was incredible. McGowan has been touring doctor’s offices since 2008 or so, and last season his solid turn as a reliever was accompanied by the terror that his shoulder could blow at any moment. His stuff has always been electric, but every pitch will be accompanied by a prayer, because he is one hell of a roulette wheel to count on. All the starting pitchers are, to varying degrees.

If this team wins, it will be a wonderful surprise. But McGowan is a starter because there wasn’t anybody else.

There was nobody else because the Jays didn’t acquire any arms over the winter, and that fact hung over the opener. Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports reported it first Thursday night, and the details were discerned by the National Post’s John Lott: five Jays players agreed to defer $3 million US of salary, with interest, in order to free up money to sign free-agent pitcher Ervin Santana this season. Santana agreed to a one-year, $14-million US contract with Toronto on Mar. 7 before deciding he would prefer not to pitch in the American League East. Santana had told Jays players he was coming to Toronto, after Jose Bautista, Edwin Encarnacion, Jose Reyes, R.A. Dickey and Mark Buehrle agreed to help make it happen.

Retired pitcher and former Toronto Blue Jays ace Roy Halladay, left, shakes hands with Blue jays pitcher Mark Buehrle, right, after throwing out the opening pitch. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Peter Power

But Kris Medlen got hurt in Atlanta, and Santana reneged. In the end, you couldn’t completely blame the Blue Jays for Santana getting away. They had a deal for a pitcher they sorely needed to fill out an uncertain rotation. He changed his mind. So it goes. General manager Alex Anthopoulos addressed it before the game, and essentially confirmed the facts: he noted they had a deal, and in the end, that is what was important.

That’s part of what’s important, anyway. The Blue Jays have always said that if they asked for money from ownership, they believed Rogers Communications would accede because Rogers had never said no. So why the need for this arrangement? How many teams with a US$132-million payroll needs to resort to Billy Beane-style accounting to fill a hole? This isn’t Oakland, and not just because Oakland plays in a park where the toilets overflow when it rains.

No, what this did was lay bare the mechanics of the Blue Jays and how they operate. This is a team in a top-five market in North America owned by a corporation that generated $12.71 billion in revenue in the last quarter of 2013, and reported a profit of $4.993 billion. But while the Jays aren’t in A’s territory, they are run with strict financial responsibility, because that is how Rogers runs all its divisions.

It shouldn’t be a surprise; remember, last season the Jays were able to load up on Dickey and Reyes and Buehrle and Josh Johnson and the whole doomed crew because Jays president Paul Beeston, the canny old hand, ran the numbers and told Rogers they could make money on it. Accordingly, attendance increased, TV ratings increased and revenues rolled in. The team crashed like an unlucky zeppelin, but it had insurance.

So, for clarity’s sake: when the Jays say they can go to ownership and ask for money, it clearly requires a business case.

Beeston needs to be able to sell, and surely Beeston is smart enough to know what to ask for, and what not to ask for. Without the same revenue boost this season, the Jays went into winter in a box: A big signing would require a trade of equivalent salary, or an arrangement like the proposed Santana deal. The Jays could eat what they kill. In retrospect, the Santana deal would have been pretty creative.

Full disclosure: I do work for TSN, which is owned by Bell Media, which is the other side of the telecommunications colossus coin. But Bell doesn’t own a baseball team unless they decide to somehow bring back the Expos, which would frankly make them national heroes right up until the point that the team desperately needed starting pitching while attempting to contend and Bell said no, make do with what you have.

Retired pitcher and former Toronto Blue Jays ace Roy Halladay throws out the opening pitch before the Blue Jays take on the New York Yankees. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Peter Power

“Well, we’re a business,” Beeston told the CBC Friday, when asked about payroll caps. “We’re a business. So the answer to that is we have a budget. So the answer is it’s not ‘capped,’ because we can increase our revenue, we can increase our expenses, but we run it as a business.”

In Toronto, this is our moneyball. Anthopoulos gambled on his haul last season, and that haul remains the bet. That is why prayers will accompany Dustin McGowan, and why kids like Aaron Sanchez and Marcus Stroman may get rushed up when there is a need, and why any outside reinforcements will likely be offset by a trade. An individual owner with vision might consider investing beyond the balance sheet to aspire for something bigger, especially in this cage match of a division. It happens in other markets. It doesn’t always work, but it happens. It just doesn’t happen here.

So if this team craters again, you’ll probably see a sell-off at the deadline, starting with Colby Rasmus and Casey Janssen and maybe moving onto Jose Bautista and Edwin Encarnacion. Maybe someone gets fired, too, and the circle of life will begin again. In the meantime, the 2014 Blue Jays will give this a try. Maybe there’s something here. It’s just hard not to think that after all these years, after everything this fan base has sat though and paid for, there should be something more.

]]>http://o.canada.com/sports/blue-jays-will-have-to-win-with-what-theyve-got/feed00.000000 0.0000000.0000000.000000Dustin McGowan; Jacoby EllsburybarthurnpToronto Blue JaysToronto Blue JaysToronto Blue JaysOft-injured McGowan looks sharp for Jayshttp://o.canada.com/sports/oft-injured-mcgowan-looks-sharp-for-jays
http://o.canada.com/sports/oft-injured-mcgowan-looks-sharp-for-jays#commentsWed, 26 Mar 2014 00:48:44 +0000http://postmediacanadadotcom.wordpress.com/?p=417400]]>Dunedin, Fla. — The improbable rise of Dustin Mcgowan has coincided with the calamitous fall of J.A. Happ, and so it was again on a pivotal day for both of them.

The contrast was stark. While McGowan made pitching look easy against a Triple-A lineup in Dunedin, Happ imploded against the Pittsburgh Pirates in Bradenton.

Four days remain before the Toronto Blue Jays must submit their opening-day roster to Major League Baseball. Happ’s short-term future appears grim. McGowan is assured of a roster spot, but the easy conclusion — that he should join the starting rotation — is far from certain.

After using 48 pitches in three innings in a big-league game last week, McGowan threw 62 in four shutout innings against the Detroit Tigers’ Triple-A club. His next outing and next pitch-count target will depend on how quickly and completely he recovers from Tuesday’s outing.

“The question now is, obviously we’re running out of time to get him built up for the season, so what do we do?” said general manager Alex Anthopoulos, who watched McGowan alongside assistant GM Tony LaCava.

McGowan allowed three hits and no walks, and struck out three. His fastball sat in the 92-96 range in all four innings.

Toronto Blue Jays’ Dustin McGowan, pictured at Spring Training in Florida on Tuesday, March 25, 2014, and Jay Happ seem headed in different directions, presenting club with tough decisions. PHOTO: JOHN LOTT/NATIONAL POST

Happ faced 20 Pirate batters and retired only nine. He gave up seven runs and 12 hits, including a homer to the opposing pitcher. His spring ERA is 20.57.

But for the Jays, the decision is not as simple as relegating Happ to the bullpen or the minors and dropping McGowan into the rotation. Moments after he finished his outing, McGowan said his oft-injured arm felt “awesome,” but he quickly added that he faces “another wait-and-see-tomorrow thing.”

Anthopoulos said that too, over and over.

“We would never take chances with his career or with his health,” the GM said.

And this: “We’re hopeful, but what if he tells us tonight, ‘Ah, I need a little more time, I’m sore’? What if he tells us something tomorrow? I don’t know that we want to commit to anything until we have a sense of how he starts to bounce back. Every time out, as he throws more, what’s the recovery like? It’s a lot easier to recover from a two-inning outing. How do you recover now when you go three and four and five?”

And this too: “We have to make a decision about what we’re going to do. I just don’t know. The number 1 priority is his health, so as we get more information — I even asked him, when do you start to have a sense? He said, normally within five or six hours I sense how I’m going to feel, and then the next day, and then two days after. As the days go on and (we see) how he recovers, then we’ll have more of a sense. We don’t know yet. We’re taking the time we have in spring training to continue to stretch him out to see what we have.”

But they have so little time. Pitching coach Pete Walker had projected an 85-pitch start for McGowan before camp closes, which, assuming a good recovery, would set him up for a rotation spot. But Anthopoulos said he doubted McGowan’s next pitch ceiling would be that high, and said he simply could not determine whether McGowan would get another start before the roster deadline on Sunday afternoon.

Asked whether there was any way for McGowan to continue to stretch out if he is assigned to the bullpen, Anthopoulos replied: “I don’t see how you can stretch in the bullpen. I just don’t see where you’re going to get the innings. I mean, he went four innings today. I’d say this: I hope he wouldn’t be able to stretch in the bullpen because that means the starter’s knocked out in the first few (innings) and he has to come in and then go five.”

By this time in spring training, players typically are eager to start the regular season. McGowan probably wishes he had another week. After getting up to 36 pitches in a game, he lost roughly 10 days to the flu, which, as the GM noted, forced him to “start over again.”

McGowan was determined to be a starter again, and now he can almost taste it. He admitted that Tuesday’s outing gave him “a little bit” of a thrill. But given all that he has endured on the injury front, he tries to temper his hopes with caution.

“You don’t want to get too high because you never know,” he said. “But I’m very pleased with how I feel and how I’ve been throwing the ball lately.”

Toronto Blue Jays GM Alex Anthopoulos keeps an eye on the action at Spring Training in Dunedin, Fla. on Friday February 21, 2014. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Frank Gunn)

Once a promising starter, McGowan suffered a series of injuries that cost him almost five years of his prime. He returned last year as an effective reliever but his highest pitch count was 32 — the same number as his current age.

Happ lost three months last year to a serious knee injury suffered when he fell after a line drive hit him in the head on May 7. The veteran left-hander spent much of the winter working to strengthen the knee, but his optimism began to fade when he struggled from the start in spring training. In four starts, he has managed to finish only seven innings while yielding 16 runs.

He also struggled to find a silver lining after Tuesday’s debacle.

“Take the positives of throwing strikes and 75 pitches,” he said, “but of course, I’d like for things to go a little bit different.”

Because he has five years of big-league service, Happ could refuse a minor-league assignment. He also dislikes pitching in relief, although that is one assignment he could not refuse.

As the Jays survey the candidates for pitching jobs, they see a crowd. Several of the hopefuls have no minor-league options left. No one has jumped up and grabbed the last rotation spot. Potentially, McGowan could be the best of the bunch, but time is not his ally.

Anthopoulos is shaking the dice, and over the next few days, he will have to roll them, several times over.

Having Ervin Santana fling his future fly balls at AL East gorillas, would not have guaranteed Toronto Blue Jays revisit the promised land for the first time more than 20 seasons. But having a veteran arm in the rotation, who can eat up innings is better than nothing, which is the sole descriptor of what AA acquired this off-season to boost MLB’s second-worst starting pitching ERA. It’s a dumbass move to promise something, and deliver nothing. Anthopoulos better hope that Romero rebounds because this week felt like the bottom of the ninth when mighty Alex struck out in his quest to improve the one part of the team that really stinks.

Speaking of another team who hasn’t visited the promised land for a while, the Oakland Raiders had to watch all three AFC West division mates make the playoffs last season, while Raider Nation went home early (to prep evil, black masks and spikes no doubt). This week’s Rodger Saffold debacle was just a head slapper and a big-time dumbass move. First of all, why they targeted Saffold, and let a better player walk (Veldeer) made no sense. Then they decided that Saffold’s shoulder was not strong enough for the rigours of the Black Hole, so they told him to take a hike. Saffold promplty signed with the up and coming St. Louis Rams, who were happy to bring him home. What do the Raiders still have? Plenty of cap space with nobody to take it – other than Justin Tuck and LaMarr Woodley whose best-before dates have been passed.

Only 24 hours until Justin Tuck goes back to the Giants after the Raiders announce he's failed his physical. #CountdownIsOn

PHOTO: APIn a 1974 photo, New York Knicks’ Phil Jackson drives to the basket.

Phil Jackson

Nobody can sully the pristine reputation of a man who owns more NBA championship rings than fingers (13 at last count), but get ready to sling some mud if the Zenster actually takes over the reins of the Knickerbockers. For a 68-year-old coaching legend, who has zero head office experience, probably the last place you want to go is New York, the centre of the media universe and the home of the league’s premier (if you listen to them) franchise. But much like with the Toronto Maple Leafs, this is a team that is more sizzle than steak and hasn’t won anything since Bob McAdoo was rookie of the year (1973).

Ottawa RedBlacks

Forget about the stupid name and forget about the Kevin Glenn controversy, the new CFL team deserves a giant dumbass mark for their choice of mascots. The lumberjack is a tired Canadian cliche that should have been retired when Monty Python made fun of it in the 1970s (I mean come on, does anybody know a lumberjack, or actually even seen one in real life?). The RedBlacks are under fire by Acadia University because their new mascot looks surprisingly familiar to Nova Scotians. They should just sucked it up and called the team the Rough Riders. After all, what is the CFL with only one Roughriders squad?

PHOTO: ottawaredblacks.comLegend has it, in 1864, before his death, a legendary Ottawa woodsman buried his trusted axe deep into a forest log…..

And the Acadian Axeman dude.

Lewis Hamilton

The F1 driver dug himself deep into a dumbass morass this week when he verbally tap danced when asked about German driving legend Michael Schumacher, who continues to be in a coma. Hamilton actually tried to say that Schu was a fighter who can beat this! He said such idiotic things as “I feel like all things happen for a reason (!!??!!!)” and “I think this is an experience that will really show his character and depth (??!!??)” and finally called him “a very motivated individual” who can beat this! Yipes. As the bad news pours in, Hamilton shouldn’t have said anything more than the usual platitudes, about praying for him, thinking about his family, etc. I am sure they do not want to hear your moronic comments.

]]>http://o.canada.com/sports/dumbass-of-the-week-alex-anthopoulos-oakland-raiders-phil-jackson-ottawa-redblacks-lewis-hamilton/feed0AnthopoulosjohndujayWoo, I am so wasted..... (yahoosports.tumblr.com)In a 1974 photo, New York Knicks' Phil Jackson drives to the basket. Legend has it, in 1864, before his death, a legendary Ottawa woodsman buried his trusted axe deep into a forest log.....And the Acadian Axeman dude.Questions remains about the starting rotation in the Toronto Blue Jays camphttp://o.canada.com/sports/questions-remains-about-the-starting-rotation-in-the-toronto-blue-jays-camp
http://o.canada.com/sports/questions-remains-about-the-starting-rotation-in-the-toronto-blue-jays-camp#commentsThu, 13 Mar 2014 22:20:53 +0000http://postmediacanadadotcom.wordpress.com/?p=410980]]>DUNEDIN, Fla. — After watching Esmil Rogers stumble, Blue Jays manager John Gibbons pulled out a baseball maxim.

“Some of our top guys are putting together some good at-bats and some things like that,” he said. “The key is pitching though. That’s going to take us as far as we’re going to go this year. We’re trying to iron some things out, find out who’s going to do what. We want strike-throwers.”

Rogers, in the mix for the Jays’ fifth starter, struck out six in his three innings Thursday in a 7-5 exhibition loss to the Houston Astros. But he also walked two and gave up four runs on five hits including two homers.

“First inning he was good. Then he was shaky after that,” was Gibbons’ pithy assessment of Rogers’ performance.

“The key to him is throwing enough strikes. He could be a heck of a pitcher when he gets the ball into the strike zone. We’ve seen it before, that’s where he runs into trouble.”

With spring training entering its final weeks, the Jays are still looking wondering about their starting rotation.

Gibbons’ pronouncement on pitching, while accurate, is hardly soothing to Toronto fans.

Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher R.A. Dickey throws during the first inning of a spring training baseball game against the Houston Astros in Kissimmee, Fla., Sunday, March 9, 2014. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

Hutchison has drawn praise from general manager Alex Anthopoulos — “We think Drew’s got a chance to be outstanding” — while Gibbons called Romero “the big talk of camp right now.”

But questions remain.

Rogers likely did not do himself any favours Thursday after a 1-2-3 first inning that featured a groundout and two strikeouts. Things went downhill from there.

“My pitches were a little bit high,” he said. “I lost my control.”

Teenage shortstop Carlos Correa, a 19-year-old who was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2012 draft, and Jon Singleton hit back-to-back homers for Houston in the third inning off Rogers. Correa then drove in two more runs with a blast to centre in the eighth off Neil Wagner.

In between, he made a slick fielding play in the fourth to throw out Brett Lawrie.

Rogers said the Singleton homer came off a change-up, a pitch he suggested he might put aside for the time being.

Starter Dallas Keuchel pitched four scoreless innings as Houston (7-6) posted its fourth straight win in the spring. The last time the Astros won four in a row in the Grapefruit League was in March 2011.

McGowan was the best of the Blue Jays pitchers with two scoreless innings despite not having pitched in 10 days after being sidelined by a stomach bug that saw him lose eight pounds. The only blemish on his outing Thursday was a walk.

McGowan still thinks of himself as a starting pitcher but, with only four spring innings under his belt, he is behind others.

“There’s what I want to be,” he said. “If I’m there, great. If I’m in the bullpen, also great. Its a win-win situation, I think.”

Houston went ahead 2-0 in the second on a Cesar Izturis single after Rogers dug himself in a bases-loaded hole with two walks and a single. Lawrie did his bit for the Toronto defence, gunning down Jesus Guzman at the plate before the Izturis hit.

The Blue Jays (6-8) scored three in the fifth off Collin McHugh to cut the lead to 4-3. Houston made it 5-3 in the sixth via a sacrifice fly.

Houston threatened again when Toronto pitcher Jeremy Jeffress loaded the bases in the seventh with no outs. He struck out one before giving way to Wagner, who struck out another and then escaped the inning when Ryan Goins made an eye-popping fielding play off a ball that flew off the pitcher’s body.

There was action in the bottom of the seventh as Anthony Gose somehow turned a shallow fly ball into a triple when sliding Houston outfielder Adron Chambers was unable to chase the ball down. Kevin Pillar then was drilled by Josh Zeid with the Jays outfielder taking a long look at the Astros pitcher as he left the batter’s box.

Gose scored on a fielder’s choice when Pillar was cut down stealing second, cutting the lead to 5-4. Gose also scored on a sacrifice fly in the ninth to make it 7-5 after Correa’s second homer extended the Houston lead.

Keuchel has yet to give up a run in nine innings this spring. He scattered six hits over his four innings Wednesday, striking out two with no walks.

The game featured half-brothers Cesar and Maicer Izturis, both starting at second base and batting ninth (the older Cesar for Houston and Maicer for Toronto).

Toronto outhit Houston 13-12.

The contest, which lasted three hours 11 minutes, drew 4,510 to Florida Auto Exchange Stadium on a 15-degree day.

]]>http://o.canada.com/sports/questions-remains-about-the-starting-rotation-in-the-toronto-blue-jays-camp/feed00.000000 0.0000000.0000000.000000Ricky RomerothecanadianpressToronto Blue Jays starting pitcher R.A. Dickey Jose Bautista set to put injury woes behind himhttp://o.canada.com/sports/jose-bautista-set-to-put-injury-woes-behind-him
http://o.canada.com/sports/jose-bautista-set-to-put-injury-woes-behind-him#commentsSat, 22 Feb 2014 00:48:09 +0000http://postmediacanadadotcom.wordpress.com/?p=401065]]>DUNEDIN, Fla. — On the first day of full-squad workouts, on the first pitch from Todd Redmond in live batting practice, Jose Bautista whacked the ball over the fence in right-centre field.

He savoured the moment for only a second, acknowledging that a stiff breeze gave his blast a bit of a boost. But Bautista, relaxed and upbeat, hit balls hard and far throughout batting practice. Given that it was Feb. 21, this hardly qualified as an omen, but for the Toronto Blue Jays, it certainly beat the alternative.

The last time Bautista played in a game that counted was Aug. 20. Then a hip injury shelved him for the season. A year earlier, he was finished on Aug. 25, done in by a wrist problem. Over those two seasons, he played in just 210 games, hitting 55 homers with a slash line of .251/.358/.510/.868 and a 7.2 WAR. Creditable numbers, to be sure, but awash with unfinished business.

Bautista’s maladies mirrored the team’s. Injuries have sabotaged the Jays for two years running and helped drive them into the American League East cellar last season. Bautista observed that his own injuries did not result from any neglect of his conditioning, but nonetheless, he resolved to come to camp in the best shape of his life.

He and teammate Melky Cabrera — another 2013 casualty — reside in nearby Tampa and have been working out together twice daily since mid-December. Part of their strength and conditioning drills included “flipping tires, pushing cars, crazy stuff like that,” Bautista said.

Toronto Blue Jays Jose Bautistha warms up at Spring Training in Dunedin, Fla. on Friday February 21, 2014. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Frank Gunn

By the time Cabrera hit the disabled list for good last Aug. 2, he was barely mobile, owing to crippling pain in his back and legs. Earlier tests showed nothing serious, but finally doctors discovered, and removed, a walnut-sized tumour that had encircled his spine.

When Cabrera suited up Friday, he looked lighter, quicker and stronger. During their winter workouts, Bautista said he was startled by Cabrera’s strength, especially evident when they took on those super-sized tires in their afternoon workouts.

“He’s way stronger than I am physically,” Bautista said. “He’s really surprised me this off-season. Hopefully, the removal of the tumour from his back is going to allow him to gain that lower-extremity strength that he was lacking last year.”

Bautista is bullish about his team too. At this time each year, of course, optimism bubbles in every training camp, and often it sounds like whistling past the graveyard. But a day after his general manager called the team a contender-in-waiting, Bautista sang from the same sheet. The talent is there, he said, just as it was this time last year, after a couple of stunning trades and before injuries and underachievement prevailed.

Bautista insisted, as did GM Alex Anthopoulos, that the Jays can do well with the pitchers they have, notwithstanding his boss’s assertion last fall that acquiring a dependable starter (or two) was an absolute priority.

“We’re very competitive,” Bautista said. “We’re really talented. And I think if we remain healthy and everybody plays up to their capabilities, nobody needs to go do anything outstanding or hit 60 home runs or have a sub-one ERA. We just need to play up to our capabilities. So that being said, and that being my frame of mind, I don’t think we need necessarily more pitchers with the group of guys that we have right now, if everybody stays healthy.”

If everyone plays to their capabilities. If everyone stays healthy. Those two caveats carry currency across baseball at this time every year. But wishing won’t make it so, and doubts abound about the Jays and how good they can be.

Just about all any player can do is take care of himself. Bautista says he has taken the first step with his rigorous off-season conditioning regimen, and now he will focus on improving his plate discipline and doing his part to provide leadership. Armchair appraisals have found fault with him in both departments over the past two seasons.

Bautista himself admits his slumps often arise from impatience.

“Ideally, I’d like to do better what makes me a good hitter, and that’s swing at strikes and stay within my zones, and not chase pitches out of the zone too much,” he said. “I struggle with that, especially earlier in the last two seasons.”

Bautista struggled in April both years. Both his batting average and his average on balls in play fell below .200 in those months.

Manager John Gibbons said he has spoken to his slugger about occasionally cutting down his swing and using the whole field rather than trying to pull everything long and hard. While Bautista admits he must become more selective, he remains passionately devoted to swinging hard.

“I don’t know that there’s any different way for me,” he said. “That’s just the way that I’ve always been and the way that I think I’m wired. So I don’t know how to go about it any other way.”

As for the leadership issue, well, that is both complicated and highly debatable in sports circles. Bautista acknowledges the various schools of thought — those who walk the walk can’t always talk the talk, and vice versa — but he seems to believe he can provide a little of both. He stresses, however, that a good player should not automatically have to bear the responsibility of leadership, and that on a baseball team, a single leader is never enough, however his role is defined.

“It’s hard to just have one leader when it’s a big group of people,” he said. “I’ll try my best to always do whatever is asked of me to the best of my capability, and I feel like I’ve done that so far.”

It is a neatly scripted affair designed to make Shields and his fellow season-ticket holders feel warm and fuzzy about the new season and cleanse the bitter taste of yet another round of futility.

Shields was among those who were disappointed by the Blue Jays’ off-season inertia — they have added a catcher and nothing else — and he had a theory about that. Jays fans, and Toronto sports fans in general, are too easily pleased, he said.

“Toronto teams get to be just good enough to compete and to be entertaining,” he posited. “But Toronto doesn’t go after championships. The only time that any Toronto team has ever gone after a championship was the Jays in that period from the ’80s until ’92, ’93. You look at the Leafs, you look at the Raptors, they’re just good enough to be a little better than mediocre and then they hope to catch lightning in a bottle.”

It is an understandable if debatable theory, born of two decades in which the Jays have wandered in the wilderness without winning anything.

Last season, of course, they loaded up with high-priced help and were consensus picks to win the World Series before spring training started.

In response to the obvious shortcomings of 2013, general manager Alex Anthopoulos made a quality starting pitcher his off-season priority, and so far, all he has done is to sign free-agent Dioner Navarro, an undistinguished catcher.

New York Yankee fans do not tolerate such idleness, Shields said. “They demand that their team always be searching for championships,” Shields said.

Another fan, Brian Loewen of Toronto, offered a more sanguine assessment of the off-season.

“They haven’t lost a lot of the players that were supposed to win the World Series last year, so who expects them to do much more?” Loewen said. “If the players are able to come through and do what they were expected to do, standing pat should be a perfect approach. Now if they don’t … ”

He smiled, pondering the off-season so far.

“It would be nice if they did more, for sure,” he said. “We want to see a winner here.”

About 900 fans showed up for the food and drink, followed by a Q-and-A session with the team’s management, followed by more food and drink.

If they were inclined to rant, the ambience and the rules militated against it.

All the questions for Anthopoulos, president Paul Beeston and manager John Gibbons were collected via email and pre-screened.

In fairness, the questions did address the essential issues, but the event protocol kept the answers soft and generally non-committal.

As Anthopoulos predicted in a media scrum beforehand, the fans at this event were “very respectful, very supportive.”

It is impossible to know what they were thinking as they sat quietly, filling up two full sections as Beeston, Anthopoulos and Gibbons reclined royally in comfy green leather chairs atop the dugout roof. Before this event was moved from various smaller venues to the Rogers Centre several years ago, the dialogue was frank, the give-and-take spirited. One could, on occasion, see a general manager wince and squirm.

There was none of that this time, and very little beforehand when the reporters tried to have their way with Anthopoulos. He indicated the Jays are not close to signing a free-agent pitcher or trading for one.

He said there are deals he could make with players who want to play here, but the price, in dollars and contract length, is too dear.

He thinks the price will go down in a late-developing market, and once the logjam starts to break, a flurry of transactions will follow. He did not plan to wait so long to make a move, “it just worked out that way.” He added: “It’s just hard to make trades.”

Granted, it is an unusual market, owing in part to the fact that some free agents will cost their new team a first-round draft pick as well as a hefty financial investment.

The Jays, however, are not so burdened. Their wretched record last year means their first-round picks are protected; the most they could surrender is a second-round pick.

Trades? With 10 playoff spots up for grabs, nobody wants to trade pitching, although Anthopoulos seemed to hold out hope in a market lagging a month behind what used to be the norm.

“I almost think there’s going to be maybe another layer of trades that could develop once some of these free agents are off the board … I don’t remember (the market) being this open, in terms of trade talks, this late. Normally, everyone’s just kind of getting ready for spring training, maybe worried about some salary arbitration hearings, things like that.”

Asked if he might be willing to overpay to land the arm he needs, he said that depends on how one defines overpay. Asked if he is resolute when it comes to the value he places on possible acquisitions, he hemmed and hawed a bit, then said: “At times you’ll stretch.”

At one level, his replies were sensible and prudent. He admitted that his approach might mean getting scooped and left empty-handed when the market dries up. But if this is a game of chicken, he seems determined to play it.

Naturally, there are fans who disagree and wish Anthopoulos would get on with it, and spend some of those “good resources” he says he has.

Longtime fan Bob Jarvis of Toronto sits squarely in that camp.

“I just don’t know why they didn’t try to fix the holes,” Jarvis said. “It’s about money. I thought they were open to that, but I gather they’re not.”

2014-01-30T03:00:00-06:00

]]>http://o.canada.com/sports/anthopoulous-still-content-to-wait/feed0Blue Jays General Manager Alex Anthopoulos, right, talk with manager John Gibbons, left, during baseball spring training in Dunedin, Fla., on Wednesday, Feb. 20, 2013.postmedianews1Toronto Blue Jays’ Brandon Morrow isn’t blaming cutter for forearm issueshttp://o.canada.com/sports/baseball/blue-jays-brandon-morrow-isnt-blaming-cutter-for-forearm-issues
http://o.canada.com/sports/baseball/blue-jays-brandon-morrow-isnt-blaming-cutter-for-forearm-issues#commentsFri, 17 Jan 2014 03:52:17 +0000http://o.canada.com/?p=383901]]>BUFFALO — Brandon Morrow says his off-season workouts have proven his arm is sound, but he disagrees with his boss about what caused his forearm problem in the first place.

The Toronto Blue Jays right-hander missed the final four months of the 2013 season with a pinched radial nerve in his pitching forearm. Although the “entrapped nerve” diagnosis was announced late in July, doctors suspected that was the problem all along, Morrow said Thursday. They just were not certain, he added.

General manager Alex Anthopoulos has often said he believes the nerve problem arose because Morrow threw too many cutters in spring training and early in the season. Morrow only started throwing the cutter late in the 2012 season. In 2013, he was done after his 10th start on May 28.

“I don’t believe that it came from the cutter,” Morrow said before joining a Jays contingent on the dais at the Buffalo Bisons Hot Stove Luncheon. “I wasn’t throwing it for a while because of the flexor strain on the other side [of the forearm], so I cut it out. I threw it toward the end of spring training, when I started throwing my slider, and I threw it maybe in the first two games, then didn’t throw it for the next four or five. And to be honest I can’t remember if I used it much in the games after that.”

As forearm problems began to plague him early in the season, Morrow never had more than 12 days of rest. Ultimately, famed orthopedic surgeon Dr. James Andrews confirmed the pinched-nerve diagnosis and prescribed six to eight weeks of rest. Morrow took eight weeks off before throwing again.

“Everything has been great,” he said. “I went through the whole rehab program with no problems at all. I wasn’t sore one day through the whole process. I threw five or six bullpens, finishing up the first week of December. Four innings was my last one, where I’d throw 15 pitches and then sit down five or six minutes. Throwing 100% at game speed I had no problems. I’m confident in the way I feel now.”

The soreness was centred in the top of his forearm. He had never had it before and says he has no idea what caused it. But he admits he wanted to try to pitch through it, especially as injuries and ineffectiveness struck other members of the rotation as the Jays’ pre-season hopes unravelled over the first two months.

“Everybody was feeling some pressure to turn it around,” he said. “And sometimes there’s a tough line to walk, between your machismo or ego telling you that you need to be out on the field, and then thinking a couple of weeks off in April or May may save the season and help you be there in July, August and September. That’s a line a lot of people walk, and I don’t think I’d do anything differently as far as that. I don’t think I injured myself based on that.”

The price is not right

Anthopoulos was also on hand to help launch the Jays’ second season of affiliation with Triple-A Buffalo. In marked contrast to a year ago, his winter has been quiet and he said no deals are in sight at the moment, even though he has insisted since September that his top offseason priority was to improve the rotation.

He has found willing trade partners. “All we have to do is say yes,” he said. So far, the price has been too high. The same goes for the free-agent market, he said.

PHOTO: Tom Szczerbowski/Getty ImagesDustin McGowan says he hopes to compete for a spot in the starting rotation after spending time as a reliever last season.

GM bullish on rotation depth

Anthopoulos said he feels far more confident in the club’s rotation depth than he did a year ago. He expects Morrow, R.A. Dickey, Mark Buehrle and J.A. Happ to fill the first four spots. Drew Hutchison, Kyle Drabek and prospects Marcus Stroman and Sean Nolin are also possible candidates, along with returnees Todd Redmond and Esmil Rogers. Dustin McGowan, a reliever last year, said Thursday he hopes to compete for a starting spot.

Hutchison made the rotation out of Double-A in 2012 before Tommy John surgery shut him down. On his way back, he pitched in 10 games in the minors last year, then impressed scouts in the Arizona Fall League.

“I wouldn’t be surprised if Drew looks great in camp,” Anthopoulos said. “He was great in the fall league and really opened up some eyes.”

In his rotation discourse, the GM did not mention onetime ace Ricky Romero, whose fall from grace has been well-documented. Asked about Romero, Anthopoulos waxed diplomatic: “I don’t know what we can expect. Out of all these guys, he’s the guy who’s been the all-star, been the 220-inning horse . . . I don’t know when it’s going to come back, but we believe it will.”

He refused to say whether the Jays are taking a serious run at Japanese free agent Masahiro Tanaka. The Yankees, Dodgers and Cubs are reportedly the frontrunners in the Tanaka sweepstakes.

Jays sign Getz

Veteran Chris Getz will have a chance to spice up the competition for the Jays’ second-base job in spring training. Getz, who hit .220 with a .288 on-base percentage last year with Kansas City, signed a minor-league contract with an invitation to spring camp.

Getz, 30, batted .251 with a .310 on-base percentage in two seasons with the White Sox and four with the Royals. Rookie Ryan Goins is regarded as the frontrunner for the starting job. Maicer Izturis might have an outside shot, although the Jays generally expect him to fill a utility role. Munenori Kawasaki will also try to stick as a backup.

]]>http://o.canada.com/sports/baseball/blue-jays-brandon-morrow-isnt-blaming-cutter-for-forearm-issues/feed1Toronto Blue Jays v Tampa Bay Rayspostmedianews1After speaking to famed orthopedic surgeon Dr. James Andrews, Brandon Morrow took eight weeks off before throwing again. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan DenetteDustin McGowan says he hopes to compete for a spot in the starting rotation after spending time as a reliever last season. Tom Szczerbowski/Getty ImagesToronto Blue Jays could make Free Agent splashhttp://o.canada.com/sports/toronto-blue-jays-could-make-free-agent-splash
http://o.canada.com/sports/toronto-blue-jays-could-make-free-agent-splash#commentsMon, 09 Dec 2013 16:00:39 +0000http://o.canada.com/?p=364216]]>While it’s true that a majority of the best free agents have already found homes for the 2014 season, there are a few interesting choices available for the Toronto Blue Jays.

The team’s biggest needs are in the starting rotation, and at second base. It’s also entirely likely the team could find upgrades at backup catcher, backup outfielders, and elsewhere.

I should also make note of Masahiro Tanaka of the Rakuten Golden Eagles. It’s not yet known whether Rakuten will post Tanaka, making him available to MLB teams. This is especially true after the news that the posting fee for NPBL players may be lowered to a maximum of $20M. You can be sure the Japanese team was hoping for a payday closer to the reported $51.7M the Texas Rangers gave the Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters for Yu Darvish in 2011. That being said, Tanaka’s 2013 season in Japan was extremely impressive, garnering a 24-0 W-L record, with a 1.27 ERA, and 0.943 WHIP, in 212 IP. Tanaka would be a huge get for the Blue Jays, and turning 26 at the end of next season would indicate he has many years ahead of him.

There are also a number of possible “reclamation projects” the Jays could engage in this off-season. The aforementioned Halladay would be one, but there are a number of other pitchers, who, for one reason or another, aren’t perfect choices, but might still have some value. I’d include the following players in this group: Chris Capuano, Chris Carpenter, Gavin Floyd, Freddy Garcia, Tommy Hanson, Jair Jurrjens, Paul Maholm, Johan Santana, Joe Saunders, and Barry Zito.

SECOND BASE

Jays’ GM, Alex Anthopoulos, probably had no intention of signing a player of Robinson Cano‘s ilk, as the current team modus operandi doesn’t seem to include high dollar, long-term free agent contracts. Cano was really the only high profile 2B on the list of free agents, but we should also keep Alexander Guerrero in mind. The Dodgers made a splash in June of 2012, when they signed Cuban star, Yasiel Puig, to a long-term deal. Puig went on to have a tremendous 2013, and Los Angeles is hoping for the same from Guerrero, who defected last year. Guerrero would have been a great addition to the Jays, who have yet to cash in on a Japanese or Cuban import.

Here are a list of a couple guys that might improve on a position that didn’t exactly inspire confidence last season:

PROS: Great 2013 slash line (.318/.345/.450/.795), versatile IF with some OF experience, can slot into a lot of batting order spots
CONS: Likely 3-yr/$25+M contract may be too rich for Jays’ blood

BOSTON, MA – OCTOBER 12: David Ross #3 of the Boston Red Sox tags out Omar Infante #4 of the Detroit Tigers at home plate during Game One of the American League Championship Series at Fenway Park on October 12, 2013 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)

Remember: Yankees have made an offer to free agent 2B Omar Infante this offseason, as @Ken_Rosenthal and I reported this week.

There are a number of other available 2B the team could grab, though most are unlikely to provide an option much better than Ryan Goins. He finished the year as the team’s starter, and flashed some great leather. His offensive numbers were nothing to get excited about, and it’s not likely he’ll even be able to translate his career minor league numbers (.273/.330/.376/.706) into consistent statistical output in the big leagues. If Toronto fails to make any moves for a new starting 2B, Goins likely will have the job, and bat ninth.

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Keep an eye on Canada.com for more information on the Jays’ off-season moves, the MLB Winter Meetings, and news from around the league.

Take Our Poll]]>http://o.canada.com/sports/toronto-blue-jays-could-make-free-agent-splash/feed1Matt GarzachrismelitoVeterans Carlos Ruiz (L) and Roy Halladay (R) were both free agents this off-season. Could Halladay return to the Jays?Tigers vs Red SoxToronto Blue Jays see MLB Winter Meetings as key to team improvementhttp://o.canada.com/sports/blue-jays-see-mlb-winter-meetings-as-key-to-team-improvement
http://o.canada.com/sports/blue-jays-see-mlb-winter-meetings-as-key-to-team-improvement#commentsMon, 09 Dec 2013 16:00:47 +0000http://o.canada.com/?p=364105]]>Executives and industry professionals from all over the league will begin arriving at the Walt Disney World Swan & Dolphin Resort this weekend. It’s situated in Lake Buena Vista, FL, but I don’t imagine attendees will get much time to enjoy the scenery. The MLB holds these meetings every year to allow teams to discuss possible trades, hold the Rule 5 Draft, and engage in other discussions germane to the business of baseball.

For the Toronto Blue Jays, it will be an opportunity to improve the team at key positions such as second base, and in the starting rotation. They also may look to pick up a right-handed power bat to platoon with 1B/DH Adam Lind, a backup catcher to work with the newly-acquired Dioner Navarro, and a veteran fourth outfielder.

Some of these moves might be made in the arena of free agent signings, though the creme-de-la-creme of available talent has already been acquired.

It’s more likely the team will trade for any assets that General Manager Alex Anthopoulos thinks will improve the team.

Here’s a list of potential trade candidates I believe the Jays should attempt to acquire:

The former All-Star has been linked to a number of trade rumours since the July deadline of the 2013 season. His career slash line of .292/.329/.429/.759 is pretty tempting, as is his 107 OPS+ and fWAR of 20.1 over seven plus seasons. Unfortunately the Angels are looking mostly for starting pitching, something with which the Jays are not likely to part. Nonetheless, Kendrick would pencil in well near the top or in the sixth/seventh spot in Toronto’s order, and is an above-average defender.

Howie Kendrick #47 and Erick Aybar #2 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim celebrate after defeating the Toronto Blue Jays 7-5 after a game at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on August 2, 2013 in Anaheim, California.

Though an SS in The Forest City, Cabrera can certainly play 2B, and Cleveland is prepared to listen on offers for the two-time All-Star. It’s not likely the Jays will entertain a move here, unless they can get Cabrera and his representation to agree on some kind of a contract extension for the 28-year-old. He’s a switch-hitter, which is also very useful, but isn’t a stellar defender. His down year in 2013 (slash line of .242/.299/.402/.700 from career .273/.335/.413/.748), and 2015 free agency, may scare away potential suitors.

Similar to Cabrera, Lowrie is Oakland’s everyday SS, but could certainly move to 2B. He’s not a great defender at either position, but adds a lot with his bat. Given his 2013 slash line of .290/.344/.446/.791, it’s likely the Athletic’s asking price will be high. However, given Toronto’s interest in starting pitcher Brett Anderson, perhaps a blockbuster deal could be in the works.

Though his stats against left-handed pitching may not be too enticing, Murphy is an intriguing option. He’ll turn 29 next year, and is arbitration eligible until 2016. The Mets could use some of Toronto’s vaunted relief pitching, making this look like an equitable trade opportunity. Murphy isn’t as big an upgrade as the players mentioned above, but would bring some solidity to a position that didn’t inspire fear in opponents last year.

The Jays could also make a splash by grabbing either Anthony Rendon from Washington, or Jedd Gyorko from San Diego. Both are coveted by their respective teams, so it’s unlikely a deal could be made. However, a pick-up of this type wouldn’t be that different from the deal that brought Brett Lawrie to Toronto in December 2010.

STARTING PITCHER

There are a number of available trade candidates that have been tied to the Blue Jays this off-season. Two if which are the Athletics’ Brett Anderson, and the Cubs’ Jeff Samardzija. I’m not particularly high on either of these players.

Anderson has spent a significant amount of time on the disabled list in the last four years, and is set to make $8M in 2014 (club option of $12.5M in 2015, with $1.5M buyout). While there is certainly some up-side in the talented left-hander, it doesn’t seem to be worth the risk. The A’s certainly don’t need much help in their bullpen, the one place from which the Jays can afford to move players.

Other teams believe #Athletics not done today or at leaat this week. #BlueJays remain "infatuated" with Brett Anderson, an ML exec says.

Samardzija has a ton of potential, perhaps even enough to be a future staff ace, but is also maddeningly inconsistent. He certainly hasn’t gotten much support from the Cubs’ anemic offence in the past, but his fWAR numbers of 3.0 and 2.8 in the last two seasons isn’t inspiring a lot of confidence. He is arbitration eligible until 2016, and won’t likely command much more than $4M/yr, which could be a steal if he plays to his potential.

There’s nothing to indicate that Atlanta is looking to deal Teheran, or other young starters Kris Medlen or Mike Minor, especially since Tim Hudson signed with the Giants. However, Atlanta GM Frank Wren is always looking to upgrade his farm system. Perhaps the 22-year-old can be acquired for the right mix of minor league assets? His breakout 2013 included a 3.20 ERA, 1.174 WHIP, and 3.2 rWAR, in 185 2/3 innings.

While I might feel that Anderson is unpalatable, I’d like to see Toronto make a move for Parker, who doesn’t turn 26 until the end of the 2014 season. Parker is a pre-arbitration until 2016, and not a free agent until 2018. He has tremendous upside, but might not be available, nor might Dan Straily, Sonny Gray, A.J. Griffin, or Tommy Milone. However, with their bevy of young starting pitchers in the fold, and GM Billy Beane’s general willingness to make smart trades, something could be done.

It would certainly take a large package of players to pry the 27-year-old out of Washington, but this could be part of a bigger move for both teams. The Nationals have a very good rotation for 2014, especially after trading for Doug Fister. They could certainly afford to lose one starter, though Stephen Strasburg is likely off the table, and Gio Gonzalez‘ contract is likely too high. Zimmermann won’t be a free agent until 2016, and easily qualifies as an ace.

Jordan Zimmermann #27 of the Washington Nationals throws to a St. Louis Cardinals batter during the sixth inning at Busch Stadium on September 25, 2013 in St. Louis, Missouri. The Cardinals won 4-1 to sweep the Nationals.

Again, there are no rumours to indicate that any of the Cardinals’ young pitchers is available, but if I had to make an educated guess, I’d think Kelly is the best possibility. With Kelly, Shelby Miller, Michael Wacha, Trevor Rosenthal, Seth Maness, and Carlos Martinez in the fold, surely the trade of one young arm is feasible. He’ll turn 26 next year and isn’t a free agent until 2019.

CATCHER

With R.A. Dickey‘s unique needs to have a catcher who can handle his knuckleball, it’s unlikely the team will part with Josh Thole. However, all the catchers in Dickey’s past had to learn the quirks of the 2012 NL Cy Young Award winner, so who’s to say a new catcher can’t do the same? Navarro had a very good 2013, but his future is far from clear.

Could this be an opportunity for the team to pickup a solid catcher for the future? Divisional trades are a rarity, but could the recent rumours surrounding the Orioles’ Matt Wieters involve Toronto? Probably not this year.

4th OUTFIELDER

Moises Sierra and Anthony Gose have seen a small amount of Major League playing time, but one wonders if the Jays could make a move for a more veteran presence. This player could step into the 4th OF role, replace the oft-injured Melky Cabrera, or also platoon with Lind against left-handed pitching. I thought Chris Young could have been a very interesting choice for the Jays, but he signed with the Mets in late November.

Trumbo is clearly more than a 4th OF, but his versatility makes him a great option for just about any team. While he can’t play CF, and isn’t fantastic anywhere in the OF, he’s an above average defender at 1B, and can play 3B in a pinch. He makes a great DH, and smashes left-handed pitching. You can find a place for him to play just about any day, and could be slotted in as a regular starter in a number of positions should the team fall to injury. He’ll have to lower his strikeout rate, and walk more.

The Phillies are stuck with the albatross contract of Ryan Howard until 2017, and may not have the patience to let Ruf stick around. He can be used in the corner OF positions, and at 1B. His 231 career PA against LHP is small, but carries an impressive .271/.359/.503/.862 slash line.

—

Keep an eye in Canada.com for more coverage of the Winter Meetings. I’ll also post a companion article regarding a few free agent targets that may be decent options for the team.

Take Our Poll]]>http://o.canada.com/sports/blue-jays-see-mlb-winter-meetings-as-key-to-team-improvement/feed1Alex AnthopouloschrismelitoHowie Kendrick #47 and Erick Aybar #2 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim celebrate after defeating the Toronto Blue Jays 7-5 after a game at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on August 2, 2013 in Anaheim, California. Jordan Zimmermann #27 of the Washington Nationals throws to a St. Louis Cardinals batter during the sixth inning at Busch Stadium on September 25, 2013 in St. Louis, Missouri. The Cardinals won 4-1 to sweep the Nationals.Los Angeles Angels first baseman Mark Trumbo, left, slides save past Toronto Blue Jays catcher J.P. Arencibia, right, at home plate during eighth inning AL baseball action in Toronto on Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2013.Toronto’s back-sliding Blue Jays go from big buzz to big zzzzhttp://o.canada.com/sports/torontos-back-sliding-blue-jays-go-from-big-buzz-to-big-zzzz
http://o.canada.com/sports/torontos-back-sliding-blue-jays-go-from-big-buzz-to-big-zzzz#commentsTue, 03 Dec 2013 22:03:15 +0000http://o.canada.com/?p=361447]]>The Toronto Blue Jays are a year removed from creating a big buzz in baseball circles with a pair of blockbuster trades that labelled them as certified contenders for 2013.

Pity they forgot about the importance of catching while seeming to overpay in deals with the Miami Marlins and New York Mets for essentially mediocre pitching help.

Cue to this off-season where the Jays are doing more subtraction than addition, despite finishing a miserable seven games below .500 in 2013. They have an owner with 5.2 billion reasons suddenly to be distracted by hockey, and the ball team has succeeded so far only in playing musical catchers.

Here is where the Jays stand this off-season with baseball’s annual winter meetings set for next week at Disney World in Florida. No Mickey Mouse jokes yet, please, we’ll give Jays GM Alex Anthopoulos a chance to redeem himself first:

They have allowed starting pitcher Josh Johnson to walk away. He was a key acquisition in the 12-player trade last year with Florida.

They have essentially released catcher J.P. Arencibia after determining in trade talks that nobody else wanted him either.

Dioner Navarro, who was with the Chicago Cubs in 2013, has signed as a free agent with the Blue Jays and could become their first-string catcher.

They have signed free agent catcher Dioner Navarro to a two-year, $8-million contract. Anthopoulos indicated Tuesday the 29-year-old has been pencilled in as the first-stringer with soft-hitting backup Josh Thole returning as knuckleballer R.A. Dickey’s personal catcher. The news will not set off a stampede at the box office. Navarro hasn’t been a first-string catcher since Tampa Bay, 2007-09.

Catchers the Jays have dumped since 2010:

Jeff Mathis, who had a strong season as a backup in 2012, was included in the 12-man trade with the Marlins.

John Buck, who hit .281 with 20 homers and 66 RBI with the Jays in 2010, was reacquired in 2012 from the Marlins but then was packaged to the Mets in the Dickey-Thole deal.

Yan Gomes, who provided a solid bat mainly as a third baseman in 2012, was traded to Cleveland that November and emerged as a star behind the plate in 2013, hitting .294 with 11 homers and 38 RBI.

Jose Molina, a good all-round contributor in 2010 and 2011, was still sound at 38 in Tampa Bay last season and has signed a two-year deal to return to the Rays.

Travis d’Arnaud, who was dealt along with pitcher Noah Syndergaard as part of the Dickey-Thole trade in 2012. They are now the Mets’ top two prospects.

You’re outta here … Arencibia. Umpire Mike Everitt calls Los Angeles Dodgers’ Andre Ethier out at the plate after a tag by the Blue Jays’ J.P. Arencibia, right, during their interleague game July 23. The Jays aren’t bringing the catcher back next season.

J.P.Arencibia, who struggled at the plate and behind it for most of the 2013 season. The Jays decided this week not to tender him a contract.

Free-agent catchers who have signed elsewhere:

Brian McCann, with Yankees, five years, $85 million

Jose Molina, re-signs with Tampa, two years, $4.5 million

Brayan Pena, with Cincinnati, two years, $2.275 million

A.J. Pierzynski, with Boston, one year, $8.25 million

Carlos Ruiz, re-signs with Philadelphia, three years, $26 million

Geovany Soto, re-signs with Texas, one year, $3.05 million

Free agent catchers still available

John Buck, Pittsburgh, could be headed back to Mets as a backup

Jarrod Saltalamacchia, Boston, has an offer from Miami to complement Jeff Mathis

Kurt Suzuki, Oakland, could be headed to Texas

Blue Jays pitcher Mark Buehrle has a light moment at training camp, but the roof fell in on the team during the season. Buehrle had a so-so 12-10 record and a 4.15 earned-run average.

Utility man Emilio Bonifacio, ,28, was traded to Kansas City for a player to be named or cash. Catcher John Buck, 33, was traded to the Mets and Josh Johnson, 29, has signed with San Diego as a free agent.

Jays pitcher R.A. Dickey, left, and catcher Josh Thole meet on the mound in Arlington, Tex., on June 15. Neither had a great season, Dickey going 14-13 with a 4.21 earned-run average and Thole hitting just .175, even lower than J.P. Arencibia’s .194.

The Jays gave up top prospects catcher Travis d’Arnaud, 24, and pitcher Noah Syndergaard, 21, in the seven-player deal. D’Arnaud is expected to be the Mets’ first-string catcher in 2014 after being slowed by injuries in 2013. Syndergaard is a candidate to make the pitching rotation. Outfielder Wuilmer Becerra is a 19-year outfield prospect now in the Mets chain, while catcher John Buck, 33, was traded to Pittsburgh and now is a free agent.

Blue Jays speculation

There is rumoured interest in Oakland left-hander Brett Anderson, 25, who struggled with injuries in 2013.

Should the Chicago Cubs decide to trade right-hander Jeff Samardzija, 29, the Jays are one of several teams interested.

Talk has faded about the Jays trading left-hander Buehrle, but not regarding fellow lefty J.A. Happ.

]]>http://o.canada.com/sports/torontos-back-sliding-blue-jays-go-from-big-buzz-to-big-zzzz/feed1ArencibiagloewenAndrew A. NellesJon BlackerMatt SlocumJim CowsertBlue Jays GM Alex Anthopoulos says Dioner Navarro keen to return to starting role in Torontohttp://o.canada.com/sports/blue-jays-gm-alex-anthopoulos-says-dioner-navarro-keen-to-return-to-starting-role-in-toronto
http://o.canada.com/sports/blue-jays-gm-alex-anthopoulos-says-dioner-navarro-keen-to-return-to-starting-role-in-toronto#commentsTue, 03 Dec 2013 20:12:47 +0000http://o.canada.com/?p=361289]]>TORONTO — Alex Anthopoulos was prepared to stay the course with catcher J.P Arencibia, until he discovered the Toronto Blue Jays could make an upgrade behind the plate with free agent Dioner Navarro.
The Jays officially parted way with Arencibia on Monday by declining to tender a contract offer to the fourth-year catcher. The move came after Anthopoulos signed Navarro to a two-year, US$8-million deal.
“Dioner had a wonderful year last year in 240 at bats, and we think that there’s some upside there, especially considering his age,” the Blue Jays’ GM said on a conference call Tuesday. “We just think it’s a nice fit, and obviously we’ll find out.”
Arencibia struggled through the worst season of career in 2013, with a .194 batting average, 21 home runs and 55 RBIs. The 27-year-old fan favourite, who began his Blue Jays career with so much promise — homering on his first major-league pitch in 2010 — struck out 148 times this past season, 15th most in Major League Baseball.
Anthopoulos said he has no idea why Arencibia regressed so much last season.
“I wish I did. I do think he’s going to bounce back,” Anthopoulos said. “He was a little banged up, and one thing about J.P., he’s a very durable guy, very tough, plays through a lot of injuries. There was a time we almost put him on the (disabled list), he wanted to keep playing, he battled through it and grinded through it, and I’ve seen him play with a broken hand and things like that.
“But I really don’t know, certainly we didn’t expect him to have that type of year. .. Obviously he’s very proud and has extreme pride in his job, and I think it may have just worn on him.”
Still, Anthopoulos said the decision to replace Arencibia wasn’t made until the “last few weeks or so.”

Dioner Navarro is looking forward to reclaiming a starting role now that the free agent catcher has signed a two-year contract with the Toronto Blue Jays.

The 29-year-old Navarro, a 10-year veteran from Venezuela who has served mostly as a backup, hit .300 with a career-high 13 home runs in 89 games for the Chicago Cubs last season. He also had 34 runs batted in.
“Navarro was someone who has pretty good contact rate, low strikeouts, pretty good on base skills, been able to take a walk and work the count,” Anthopoulos said. “From a game-calling standpoint, the work that we did on him, everyone really raved about his game-calling, and how guys love throwing to him.”
Anthopoulos said Navarro — who’s played for the New York Yankees, Los Angeles, Tampa Bay, Cincinnati and the Chicago Cubs — is keen to get return to a starting role in the majors.
“The fact that Dioner has played over a hundred games three times in his career, has been an all-star and is only 29, that certainly factored into the decision,” he said. “Dioner is very motivated and very hungry to get back to being that everyday guy, he just hasn’t had an opportunity to be the everyday guy since he left the Rays.”
The GM said he called Arencibia on Sunday night to let him know his plans.
Through his struggles on the field, the catcher became a lightning rod for criticism this past season when the Jays were failing to live up to lofty pre-season expectations. The catcher lashed out on Twitter at Sportsnet analysts Dirk Hayhurst and Gregg Zaun over their negative comments.
He then deleted his Twitter account, posting in a final three-part tweet to his some 145,000 followers: “It’s unfortunate to see how words are twisted to make false stories.
“I give way too much of myself to have others try and make me out to (be) something/someone I’m not.”
“I will no longer be on twitter,” he said. “Thanks to all the fans who support and praying for the others that hate. God bless.”
Anthopoulos said in the “grand scheme of things,” the fact Arencibia vented his frustration on Twitter wasn’t a big deal, and said there were never any off-field issues with the former Jays catcher.
“I think he was probably one of our best guys in the community, always was available, always was a great supporter of the ball club, any time we had a need in the off-season,” Anthopoulos said. “There’s a lot of things he did behind the scenes that no-one saw so to me he was outstanding.”

]]>http://o.canada.com/sports/blue-jays-gm-alex-anthopoulos-says-dioner-navarro-keen-to-return-to-starting-role-in-toronto/feed0Alex AnthopoulosthecanadianpressDioner Navarro is looking forward to reclaiming a starting role now that the free agent catcher has signed a two-year contract with the Toronto Blue Jays. Time is right for Toronto Blue Jays to cash in on Jose Bautistahttp://o.canada.com/sports/time-is-right-for-toronto-blue-jays-to-cash-in-on-jose-bautista
http://o.canada.com/sports/time-is-right-for-toronto-blue-jays-to-cash-in-on-jose-bautista#commentsWed, 13 Nov 2013 21:00:16 +0000http://o.canada.com/?p=347164]]>Alex Anthopoulos has the right idea by shopping Toronto Blue Jays slugger Jose Bautista, but hitting a home run in a trade will be a challenge.

Not sure Domonic Brown – one proven season at the major-league level at age 26, after wearing the “prospect” label for years – is the answer, but at least Brown’s best years are ahead of him. As for Bautista, Anthopoulos might have a strike against him if he’s trying to bring back comparable 50-home-run-slugger value. If he does, that’s great for the Blue Jays.

There aren’t too many 50-home run hitters in the post-steroid era and Bautista is three years removed from his feat. He’s a legitimate slugger – topping the baseball world at age 29 with 54 home runs in 2010 and following it up with 43 home runs in 2011, the first non-steroid player to lead MLB in home runs two straight seasons since Cecil Fielder in 1990-91. (Alex Rodriguez led MLB in home runs in 2002-03 and Mark McGwire four straight years from 1996-99.)

PHOTO: Getty Images filesJose Bautista’s OPS has been on the decline for three straight seasons.

The 50-homer hitter is rare in today’s game (only Bautista and Chris Davis have reached the mark in the past six seasons). But Blue Jays fans can’t count on Bautista getting close to that level again – after a pair of injury-shortened seasons in 2012 (27 homers at age 31) and 2013 (28 homers at age 32) the rightfielder’s most productive days are likely behind him.

Plus, Bautista hasn’t exactly made the most of having a team built around him, yet to establish himself as a winner or a team-leader type of guy. Never mind the constant arguing with umpires over the strike zone, but the two-runners-on-and-swinging-for-the-fences-and-popping-up-to-second-base-and-cursing-himself-back-to-the-dugout was growing more common last season.

That declining OPS (1.056 to .886 to .856) doesn’t lie. Yeah, the time is now for Anthopoulos to strike, to try to get something in return and capitalize on any value Bautista still has at age 33, with his decline underway.

The Blue Jays have some obvious needs – starting rotation, catcher, second base – and if they can use Bautista to fill any of those needs, well . . . the Blue Jays are clearly not Jose Bautista’s team anymore.

What some other 50-home run sluggers have brought back in trades in recent years:

– Nov. 2005. Jim Thome, after 52 homers with the Indians in 2002 at age 31, left for the Phillies as a free agent. He crushed 47 (age 32 in 2003) and 42 (age 33 in 2004) homers the next two seasons, then was traded at age 35 after an injury-riddled 2005 to the White Sox for Aaron Rowand, Daniel Haigwood and a player to be named later . . . named Gio Gonzalez.

PHOTO: Getty Images filesJim Thome joined the Philadelphia Phillies as a free agent after hitting 52 homers with the Cleveland Indians in 2002.

– Feb 2005. Sammy Sosa, age 36, traded by the Cubs to the Orioles for Dave Crouthers, Mike Fontenot and Jerry Hairston after a 35-home run season in 2004 at age 35. He previously had seasons of 66 home runs (age 29) in 1998, followed by 63, 50, 64, 49 and 40 (age 34). Flamed out with 14 home runs with the 2005 Orioles and hit 21 more with Texas in 2007.

– Feb 2004. Alex Rodriguez, age 28, traded to the Yankees (for Alfonso Soriano and Joaquin Arias) by the Rangers after six straight seasons of 40-plus home runs, including 52 in 2001 (age 25), 57 in 2002 (age 26) and 47 in 2003 (age 27). Went on to seven straight 30-homer seasons with the Yankees, including 54 in MVP season of 2007 at age 31. Possibly fuelled by performance-enhancing substances . . . still wasn’t much fun to watch.

PHOTO: Getty Images filesAlex Rodriguez was a home-run machine with the Texas Rangers before being dealt to the New York Yankees.

– Feb 2000. Ken Griffey Jr., age 30, traded by the Mariners to the Reds for Jake Meyer, Mike Cameron, Antonio Perez and Brett Tomko, after seasons of 56 home runs (age 27 in 1997 ), 56 (age 28 in 1998) and 48 (age 29 in 1999) home runs. Went on to have three 30-home run seasons in nine injury-riddled seasons in Cincinnati.

-Feb 1999. Greg Vaughn, age 32, after his memorable 50-homer with San Diego in 1998 – remember that? Me neither – was traded to the Reds with Mark Sweeney for Josh Harris, Damian Jackson and Reggie Sanders. Vaughn hit 45 homers for the ’99 Reds, then signed and faded away with the Devil Rays.

PHOTO: Getty Images filesGreg Vaughn was traded to the Reds after hitting the 50-homer mark in 1998.

– July 1997. Mark McGwire, age 33, traded at the deadline by Oakland to St. Louis for Eric Ludwick, T.J. Mathews and, Blake Stein. Traded in midst of 58-home run season (34 with Oakland, 24 in final two months with St. Louis), after 52-home run season at age 32. Went on to rewrite baseball history with 135 home runs over the next two seasons. It was fuelled by steroids, but was amazing to watch.

PHOTO: Getty Images filesMark McGwire took the baseball world by storm with the long ball … and later admitted to using steroids.

One notable 50-homer free agent:

– Albert Belle, who hit 50 home runs with the Indians at age 28 in 1995, left as a free agent and signed with the White Sox after hitting 48 at age 29 in 1996. Belle hit 49 home runs with the White Sox in 1998. Remember that season? That was the year Dave Stieb made his comeback with the Blue Jays and was actually warming up in the bullpen to come in and possibly face Belle in a meaningful game in August. That 1998 Blue Jays team was 88-74, the best Blue Jays team since the World Series years. But a 41-year-old Stieb warming up in a meaningful game was a sign how far away the Jays actually were in 1998 . . . no offence to the 1980s-era Stieb. These days, what Anthopoulos and Blue Jays fans wouldn’t do for an 88-win season.

PHOTO: Getty Images filesAlbert Belle hovered around 50 home runs for three out of four seasons in the late ’90s.

Take Our Poll]]>http://o.canada.com/sports/time-is-right-for-toronto-blue-jays-to-cash-in-on-jose-bautista/feed1Jose Bautistakpagan2013Jose Bautista's OPS has been on the decline for three straight seasons.Jim Thome joined the Philadelphia Phillies as a free agent after hitting 52 homers with the Cleveland Indians in 2002.Sammy Sosa hit a career-high 66 home runs in 1998.Rodriguez clapsKen Griffey, Jr., had back-to-back seasons with 56 home runs in 1997-98.Greg VaughnMark McGwire took the baseball world by storm with the long ball ... and later admitted to using steroids.Albert Belle hovered around 50 home runs for three out of four seasons in the late '90s.Toronto Blue Jays, Philadelphia Phillies in trade talk for Jose Bautista?http://o.canada.com/sports/toronto-blue-jays-philadelphia-phillies-in-trade-talk-for-jose-bautista
http://o.canada.com/sports/toronto-blue-jays-philadelphia-phillies-in-trade-talk-for-jose-bautista#commentsWed, 13 Nov 2013 06:50:37 +0000http://o.canada.com/?p=346691]]>Ah, the offseason rumour mill.

According to one Philadelphia radio personality, the Phillies and the Blue Jays are talking trade … and it would be a whopper:

#phillies GM Ruben Amaro deep in serious talks w #bluejays to acquire OF Jose Batista. Can also play 3rd. Phils would deal OF Dom Brown plus

Let’s face it, the Maple Leafs’ collapse in Boston is still painfully fresh and aside from a few thousand die-hards, no one really cares about the Argos.

The Raptors, TFC and the Blue Jays? Well, they have been dismal failures on the court, pitch and field.

In 2011, ESPN The Magazine declared Toronto to be the worst sporting city in North America due to its teams combined incompetence on their respective playing surfaces. And while their corporate parents may be pleased with the box office and media contract returns, real fans only care about winning and losing.

Thankfully, the occasional ray of sunshine cuts through the gloom.

The Leafs are off to a strong start, building on last year’s post-season appearance (11 minutes in Boston aside). And the Argonauts – irrelevant as they might be – are a power in the CFL’s East Division, poised to make a run at another Grey Cup. Definite bright spots.

If you set the wayback machine to last December, you’ll find proof that Toronto, Canada and the baseball world were abuzz about the Blue Jays.

Jays general manager Alex Anthopoulos reignited the passion of baseball fans from coast to coast with two trades that shook up a franchise whose last playoff appearance saw Joe Carter bunny-hopping around the bases after stroking that infamous World Series winning homer in 1993. That was then. Way back then. It was hoped the cornerstone players acquired by Anthopoulos – R.A. Dickey, Jose Reyes, Mark Buehrle, Josh Johnson and Emilio Bonifacio – would help push the club back into the playoffs.

But in the end, they paid little in terms of on-the-field dividends.

Dickey and Johnson were pounded by American League hitters, Bonifacio couldn’t hit his weight and was traded for a bag of balls to Kansas City in mid-August, while Reyes missed more than six weeks after suffering a nasty ankle injury during the season’s earliest days. By the time he came back, the Jays were buried in the AL East. Only Buehrle, who posted a 12-10 record and tossed 203 innings, really lived up to his advance billing (which was that he was a .500 pitcher who would eat up 200 innings).

Changes are due – and coming.

Johnson (who appeared to be a rare American ball player who actually seemed to enjoy playing in Toronto) wasn’t tendered a qualifying offer by the club this past week, ending his Blue Jays career with a rather ignominious record of 2-8 with a 6.20 ERA in just 16 starts.

And rumours abound that aging slugger Jose Bautista and his attractive $14-million US contract will be moved to address a dire need for a No. 1 or 2 starting pitcher.

While not concrete reasons to believe in the Blue Jays after the disaster that was the 2013 season, it appears Anthopoulos will indeed be active in trying to repair the damage … both on the field and, perhaps more importantly, off it, as cynicism among Toronto baseball fans is probably at an all-time high #FixThisTeamBeforeAskingMeToLoveItAgain.

Here are five reasons Jays fans should entertain the notion of having a little faith this winter:

1. A Proper Spring

The Blue Jays had five players who went to the World Baseball Classic in 2013 – Edwin Encarnacion, Reyes, Dickey, J.P. Arencibia and Brett Lawrie. It can be argued whether their absence made any difference as far as team chemistry and defensive cohesiveness goes, but what can’t be argued is that Lawrie and Dickey were both hurt at the Classic. Lawrie played in only 107 games, missing much of the spring due to an oblique injury, then was rushed back in April after Reyes went down with an ankle injury, only to suffer an ankle injury of his own in late May that sidelined him for six weeks. Lawrie’s .254/.315/.397 slash line wasn’t great, but after hitting above .4o0 for much of August and playing impressive defence at third base, fans should have reason to hope a more mature Lawrie will rebound in 2014.

Dickey was plagued by neck and back issues for much of the early season. To the knuckleballer’s credit, he didn’t use the injury as an excuse, making a team-leading 34 starts and 224.2 innings pitched en route to winning a Gold Glove for his defensive prowess. However, a 14-13 record and 4.21 ERA, as well as surrendering a team-high 35 home runs, weren’t exactly what Jays fans were expecting after picking up the 2012 Cy Young winner.

Arencibia wasn’t injured at the Classic, but his poor defensive play and offensive struggles (.194/.227.365 with 148 strike outs) certainly gave critics plenty of ammo to take aim at the 27-year-old catcher. As did his run-ins with a couple of Jays analysts and the shuttering of his popular Twitter account (which was subsequently reactivated).

Going into spring training in 2014, Jays fans can only hope that all hands will be on deck and that the team will be focused on improving the shoddy defence the club displayed last season.

2. Public Shaming Works

Jose Bautista celebrates his two-run home run with teammate Jose Reyes.

After being lambasted on social media and by analysts for the childish handshakes and gestures that were prevalent anytime someone did anything of note – whether they were winning or losing – the 2014 Jays should hopefully be a little more aware that they need to look and act like professionals. Hitting a home run when losing by seven runs is hardly something to celebrate with wild gesticulations.

What are the blue jays doing. Fire Gibbons,fire Anthopoulis, make Greg Zaun catcher/manager, and kill the guy who came up with #lovethisteam

And Jays owner Rogers Communications has to be aware of the backlash from fans who thought the organization was more concerned about hashtags and branding than baseball.

There seems to be genuine concern from the club about the bad play in the field and poor discipline at the plate. Questions have been raised about organization’s scouting, development and coaching infrastructure, as well as the alarming number of arm injuries Jays pitchers seem to suffer. Anthopoulos has been quoted saying that all aspects of the organization are being evaluated this off-season.

The hiring of Kevin Seitzer as hitting coach appears to be a step in the right direction. The former Royal was a true professional hitter during his major league career, posting a .295/.375/.404. And his philosophy regarding putting the ball in play and situational awareness (Seitzer had 617 strikeouts and 669 walks during his 12-year career) should resonate with fans who grew tired of a club that seemed more concerned with hitting home runs than moving runners along or cutting down swings with two strikes.

The Jays drew 2.5 million fans in 2013, the sixth-best attendance figure in the 15-team American League. Many of those seats were sold based on the optimism the trades inspired last year. And given how ticked off many fans are with the Jays’ style of play, it’s clear that the club will have to work hard to address those deficiencies if they hope to get anywhere near those figures at Rogers Centre in 2014. The same goes for the TV numbers. Published reports had Jays viewership up by more than 20% over 2012. Had the team not been out of the race by Canada Day, those numbers may have been substantially higher.

3. Young Arms

Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Drew Hutchison appears to have fully recovered from Tommy John surgery in 2012. He is enjoying a strong showing in the Arizona Fall League. where he is dominating hitters.

One of the potential bright spots in 2014 will be the Jays pitching staff. Youngsters Kyle Drabek, Drew Hutchison and Luis Perez all appear set to contribute after spending most of 2013 recuperating from Tommy John surgery.

Hutchison has been dominating the Arizona Fall League, where the 23-year-old is 1-0 with 14 strikeouts in 15 2/3 innings. He was the top starter in the league with WHIP (0.57) and finished third in opponent batting average (.127).

Drabek will turn 26 in December and still has plenty of upside after joining the Jays in the Roy Halladay trade. Perez is a lefty specialist out of the bullpen who will be 29 by spring training. He is by no means a sure thing, but when he was injured in 2012 he was enjoying a fine campaign that saw him sporting a 1.29 WHIP and .244 OBA in 35 appearances – one of the big surprises for the Jays early that season.

And there is more help on the horizon. The Jays also have some strong pitching prospects in the system, including Marcus Stroman, Sean Nolin, Aaron Sanchez, Roberto Osuna and Daniel Norris – all of whom are 23 or younger.

4. Healthy Reyes

When Reyes slid awkwardly into second base in Kansas City on April 12, he was hitting a heady .395 and had already swiped five bags. He was the face of the new Jays, living up to his reputation as an offensive sparkplug with a personality that matched his bright smile. But the ankle injury he suffered in the Royals dirt infield caused him to miss 66 games. The Jays couldn’t find a way to replace his offence. And despite the popularity of Menenori Kawasaki, the diminutive Japanese infielder couldn’t replace Reyes’ all-star caliber defence either.

Reyes wound up playing 93 games, posting a .296/.353/.427 slash line, stealing 15 bases (second most on the team behind Rajai Davis) and committing only nine errors in 344 chances.

Set to turn 31 in the middle of next season, Reyes is in the prime of his career. If he can approach his career numbers at the plate (.292/.342/.439) and chip in with his usual 30 stolen bases, he should be a dynamic force in the Jays lineup.

5. AA

The heat is on Toronto Blue Jays general manager Alex Anthopoulos after his club’s disappointing 74-88 record in 2013.

The heat is clearly on Anthopoulos. The goodwill and accolades from 2012 are distant memories and the Canadian general manager has his hands full adjusting his major league roster.

Alex Anthopoulos Sr VP & GM of Blue Jays quickly becomes the favorite for 2013 Executive of the Year

But there is reason for hope here as Anthopoulos has a reputation for being one of the brightest young minds in the game and a hard worker. He has brought renewed credibility to the franchise, washing away most of the bad taste left in fans’ mouths by the smug J.P. Ricciardi.

Athopoulos knows the buck stops at his desk. He is facing the most important off-season of his young career. And given the creativity he has displayed in the past, there is at least reason to believe that AA can right the ship in time for 2014. Now, whether they have a worst-to-first kind of fairy tale season ahead of them …

At the start of this season, the #BlueJays were 8-1 favourites to win the World Series…Meanwhile, the #RedSox had 30-1 odds

There are some obvious holes the team needs to fill if it wishes to contend in the ultra-competitive AL East. The toughest division in baseball is sending its representative to the World Series (Boston Red Sox) which opens Wednesday at Fenway Park.

Second base was supposed to the addressed when the team picked up Emilio Bonifacio and Maicer Izturis last off-season. The feeling was either one could handle the position in a platoon situation, until one of the pair emerges to claim the job.

Neither one did and the early season headlines trumpeted the complete ineptitude of both players. Bonifacio was run out of town in August, while Izturis finished the season on the DL. Ryan Goins played well defensively late in the season and showed a bit of pop in his bat, but he is not the immediate answer at this crucial spot in the infield.

“The main reason he is being made available this winter is due to a public rant about not being paid enough in the wake of the huge Joey Votto deal, which was signed just days after his own extension. He called CEO Bob Castellini a liar, citing a new vegetable for adding money to the Reds coffers for Votto. Do the Blue Jays really need that kind of chemistry added to the mix?”

The real possible prize at the second base spot, is the potential for a superstar to enter the market. Robinson Cano is said to be asking for mucho dinero (reportedly more than $300 million for 10 years) from the New York Yankees and the Bronx Bombers may not want to pony up, especially considering their self-imposed payroll restrictions and the Alex Rodriguez debacle hanging over their heads.

This is probably a long shot: it would be a lot to expect Rogers Communications to pony up such massive dollars even though Cano might be the rare bird who is worth such a stipend.

Catcher is another spot that needs a serious upgrade. J.P. Arencibia had a regrettable season, that was bad by historic standards. Next summer, he probably will not be tending the home plate for the Jays, but he will have other priorities anyway.

“Not only would Iannetta be a known quantity in an embattled position on the Blue Jays for 2014, he also gives the team some cost certainty in that his contract will expire at the end of the 2015 season, meaning the team can buy themselves some time to find a more permanent long-term solution like trading or developing a catching prospect within that time frame.”

What the Blue Jays (and 29 other teams) really need is better pitching, specifically starters. They must first decide what to do with Josh Johnson by the fifth day after the Series ends. But there might be other options available.

“It’s possible that the A’s will pick up Anderson’s option and then deal him; there are numerous interested teams, particularly Toronto, which has pursued the A’s Opening Day starter for two years and which had a scout following him again at the end of this season.”

Don’t forget about the Jose Bautista trade rumours that are scoffed at by many. Andrew Stoeten of Drunk Jays Fans says they have some merit.

“It’s rather dispiriting to think that the club would actually be so seriously considering going down this road – unless, perhaps, they’d dangle Bautista, and the tremendous value of his contract, to a club looking to shed salary, and would actually take on more money themselves.”

For his part, R.A. Dicker is expected back to lead the starting pitchers in 2014 and he recently tweeted a message to fans.

Thank you fans for all the support. It was great to see such a fantastic crowd.Visualize the place next year when we are in it!#likeaphoenix

Buck Martinez was doing games for TBS in the division series, and that rang a bell; that smooth Southern voice kept the pace all season, barely going dead as he described Toronto’s rolling six-month disaster, assembled piece by tiny piece.

But Martinez is gone and the Blue Jays might as well be on the other side of the moon. The season died in this town sometime back in May or June or maybe July, slowly and painfully, back before the leaves turned and the Leafs came back.

October is where the Jays still want to go, though, and it’s so difficult to imagine. Almost every night, it feels like the story is a pitcher and how he might get solved. Almost every night, October baseball is about arms, arms, arms.

LOS ANGELES, CA – OCTOBER 15: J.P. Howell #56 of the Los Angeles Dodgers pitches in the seventh inning against the St. Louis Cardinals in Game Four of the National League Championship Series at Dodger Stadium on October 15, 2013 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)

When St. Louis beat Pittsburgh in Game 5 of their National League division series, Adam Wainwright tossed a 107-pitch complete-game eight-hitter, allowing one run, striking out six. When the Red Sox eliminated Tampa Bay, four pitchers combined on a six-hit, one-run, 10-strikeout, no-walk gem. When Detroit eliminated the A’s, Justin Verlander crucified them one at a time, pitching eight innings of two-hit shutout ball.

And Tuesday afternoon, Verlander and John Lackey, facing the two highest scoring teams in baseball, took turns striking batters out like they were fill-ins from the accounting department. Every night feels like no-hitter bingo. The Tigers are actually the first team in major league history to carry a no-hitter into the fifth inning in three straight playoff games, two of them against Boston’s relentless bats; the Red Sox got their first hit in the fifth on Tuesday, on an infield single.

There have been four 1-0 games so far this year; according to ESPN, there were three from 2002 to 2012. The Dodgers went 22 innings between runs before an A.J. Ellis fly ball dropped between outfielders in Game 3 against St. Louis and Adrian Gonzalez doubled him home, celebrating like it was Game 7.

It was right after that that Yasiel Puig smoked a 93-mile-an-hour sinker to right, flipped his bat, admired the parabolic arc of the ball, realized it was not going to — in fact — be a home run and then hustled his behind all the way around to third, where he pranced in standing up. He was cocky and a hustler on the same play, which must have caused some cognitive dissonance among some of your less nuanced baseball analysts.

But it was memorable because hey, a triple.

Going into Tuesday’s games, the average on-base plus slugging (OPS) of the six AL playoff teams was .661 and .639 in the NL. For reference, there were five batters in baseball who got enough at-bats to qualify with a worse OPS than the NL so far: Alcides Escobar of Kansas City, Miami’s Adeiny Hechavarria, the Cubs Darwin Barney and Starlin Castro, and Ichiro Suzuki.

(J.P. Arencibia, coincidentally, fell five plate appearances short of the threshold to qualify, but would have finished fourth-worst with a .592 OPS. St. Louis, going into Game 4, had an OPS of .542.)

Boston has scored some runs, but in 1,641 at-bats, the 10 best teams in Major League Baseball, who ranked first, second, third, seventh, eighth, 10th, 12th, 13th, 14th and 17th in OPS during the regular season, had managed to hit slightly better than the 30th-ranked Miami Marlins, but slightly worse than the 29th-ranked New York Mets.

So, arms. As the Toronto season ended general manager Alex Anthopoulos acknowledged his team played Yakety Sax defence, could use some work on all kinds of fundamentals and that there were some crater-sized holes at the bottom of the lineup. But he kept coming back to pitching, pitching, pitching. Never mind that the way these post-season games are often played puts a premium on not making preventable mistakes. Arms.

The dream of Toronto becoming the contender they were promised to be is so hard to visualize chiefly because the Jays have so few reliable pitchers, much less the kind of power arms that are all over the post-season. (The Jays were not only second-last in the majors in starters’ ERA, but also second-last in starters’ strikeouts.)

The Jays have to hope R.A. Dickey has regained his form after that World Baseball Classic-related upper back injury and that his second-half velocity and control was indicative that he can be the near-ace they wanted him to be.

Then you have to hope Mark Buehrle stays Mark Buehrle for a 14th consecutive season, holding off the inevitable ravages of time. And since he is under contract for two more years at US$37 million, that’s pretty much your option there.

But those aren’t close to power arms, so you have to hope Brandon Morrow’s radial nerve compression either does or doesn’t require surgery, whichever is better. You have to assess Josh Johnson, who disintegrated this season, but who underwent elbow surgery at the end of it, and decide whether he can be not only rehabilitated, but relied on. You have to hope that either Kyle Drabek or Drew Hutchinson’s elbows are fully healed enough for them to realize their potential.

You have to hope that somebody emerges.

You go shopping, maybe, though there’s no Anibal Sanchez on the market this time.

You try to swing a trade with a threadbare cupboard.

You try to patch the holes at catcher and second base and maybe in left.

And if you can manage two out of three, it’s entirely possible to imagine the Jays with a top-five offence, if everybody is healthy. Which, of course, is another story.

But it is impossible to imagine the Toronto Blue Jays playing baseball at this level, on this stage. It is so far from here to there. 60 feet, six inches, over and over again.

The 73-89 American League East team announced that hitting coach Chad Mottola and first base coach Dwayne Murphy would not be back with the major league staff. Mottola just completed his first season as the Jays’ hitting coach, a job Murphy held from 2010 to 2012.

The @BlueJays advise that Hitting Coach CHAD MOTTOLLA and 1B Coach DWAYNE MURPHY will not return to Major League staff in 2014.

Rivera was promoted from coaching assistant to third base coach for the 2013 season. Hale came over from the Baltimore Orioles while Walker moved from bullpen coach to succeed Bruce Walton as pitching coach.

The Jays had a team batting average of .252 last season, 15th in the majors. Toronto was fourth in home runs with 185 and 11th in RBIs with 669, and the team had the sixth fewest strikeouts.

In his season review, general manager Alex Anthopoulos pointed the finger at instability in the starting rotation as the team’s biggest problem.

#BlueJays fire Chad Mottola but keep Pete Walker. Where is the logic? Can't tell me Walker found success. Organization still has no clue

At the plate, catcher J.P. Arencibia regressed. Arencibia slugged 21 home runs but hit just .194 and struck out 148 times in 2013.

Other Jays hitters also had bumpy times at the plate.

Murphy, 58, batted .246 with 166 homers and 609 RBIs in 1,360 games with Oakland, Detroit and Philadelphia, winning six Gold Glove Awards as an outfielder.

He joined the Jays system as a coach in January 2005, eventually becoming roving hitting instructor. He was named Toronto’s first base coach in June 2008 and added hitting coach duties for the 2010 season when the Jays hit a record 257 home runs.

This season, he served as first base and outfield coach while yielding hitting duties to Mottola.

Mottola, 41, began his coaching career in the Blue Jays system in 2007 after concluding a 16-year playing career that included 59 major-league and 1,801 minor-league games. A former first-round pick, he hit 239 homers in the minor leagues and four in the majors.

He spent three seasons as hitting coach for the Jays’ Class-AAA farm team, then located in Las Vegas, before being promoted to the big club.

]]>http://o.canada.com/sports/toronto-blue-jays-parting-ways-with-coaches-chad-mottola-dwayne-murphy/feed0DC_Spring_Training05.jpgthecanadianpressBlue Jays end season-long grind with a final losshttp://o.canada.com/sports/blue-jays-end-season-long-grind-with-a-final-loss
http://o.canada.com/sports/blue-jays-end-season-long-grind-with-a-final-loss#commentsMon, 30 Sep 2013 02:04:22 +0000http://postmediacanadadotcom.wordpress.com/?p=320049]]>TORONTO — On the occasion of the Toronto Blue Jays’ 88th and final defeat of the season, 44,551 fans came out to enjoy the balmy fall weather, collect their souvenir toques, say goodbye to Darren Oliver, boo Yunel Escobar and perhaps watch something resembling playoff baseball.

Many of those present bought their tickets back in the winter of hope, when they expected to see the Blue Jays tuning up for the playoffs on the last day of the season. Instead, they watched the home side trying to play spoiler against the Tampa Bay Rays, who desperately needed a win to guarantee their season would continue, at least for another day.

Toronto Blue Jays reliever Darren Oliver pitches to the Tampa Rays during seventh inning American League action in Toronto, Sunday, Sept.29, 2013. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Frank Gunn

Down 7-0 after five innings, the Blue Jays galvanized the crowd with a late comeback. Fittingly for their failed season, they fell a run short. The final score was 7-6, sending the Rays to Texas on Monday night for a tiebreaking game that will determine the second American League wild-card team. Cleveland won the first spot.

The Jays finished 74-88, one game better than last year. But their season was resoundingly disappointing after an off-season infusion of putative stars that prompted oddsmakers to pick them to win the World Series.

“We finished last,” said Jose Reyes, one of those imports. “When we got to spring training, there were a lot of unbelievable expectations about our club. Now to go home, without making the playoffs, it’s disappointing. But the talent is still here from this year. Hopefully next year we can come out of the gate winning and everything will be OK.”

The Jays’ final attendance figure topped the 2.5-million mark, an increase of almost 437,000 over last year and the highest total since 1997. Ticket sales surged after big winter trades with the Marlins and Mets that brought Reyes, Mark Buehrle, Josh Johnson and R.A. Dickey to Toronto.

Attendance was 1.63 million in 2010. It has risen each year since then.

“I think what’s been proven to everybody is that this is definitely a baseball town that has tremendous interest in the game,” general manager Alex Anthopoulos said before the game.

But while the Blue Jays were boffo at the box office, they flopped on the field. So will those once-euphoric fans ante up for tickets in 2014?

“The question was, could this place ever get back to what it was, or close to what it was (in the World Series years of 1992-93)? And I think in light of where we are now, especially with what the results have been, the upside is there,” Anthopoulos said. “If we have that winning team, if we have that team that’s on the verge of getting to the playoffs, I don’t think there’s any doubt that the fan base will come out and support a winner.”

His revamped, underachieving, injury-riddled team left many fans skeptical about 2014 and could put a dent in ticket sales next year, Anthopoulos acknowledged.

“That goes with the results we’ve had this year,” he said.

A season-long epidemic of injuries contributed mightily to the Jays’ demise, but the starting rotation logged the second-worst ERA in the majors, leaving Anthopoulos to scramble for help in that department again in the off-season.

“I think with a good rotation and the rest of the pieces that we have here, we certainly could’ve been that contending team,” Anthopoulos said, reiterating his intention to go outside the organization to find rotation help.

Manager John Gibbons said he was proud of the way his makeshift lineup won two of three games against Tampa Bay and took the finale to the wire. He also acknowledged that his team’s performance made the season a grind.

“This game eats at you, even when times are good,” he said. “It wears on you. At the end of 162 games, you’re pretty beat up.”

So was his team, which finished up with 10 players on the disabled list. In Sunday’s game, his first baseman was Ryan Langerhans, late of the independent-league Sugar Land Skeeters. His bench was so thin that he used pitcher Esmil Rogers as a pinch-runner. Late in the game, he sent up Munenori Kawsaki (with a .637 OPS) to pinch-hit for J. P. Arencibia (. 595 OPS).

In a 70-minute pre-game review of the season, Anthopoulos kept returning to the rotation as the principal source of the Jays’ problems. Even with US$110-million committed to next year’s payroll, he seemed confident that owner Rogers Communications will not tie his hands if he needs another cash infusion to acquire pitching help.

Speaking to reporters before Tuesday night’s game against the New York Yankees, Anthopoulos said manager John Gibbons will return as manager in 2014.

Gibbons, who returned for a second stint as Toronto manager this season, has been an easy target as his team has been mired in last place in the American League East for most of the year.

When asked about the possibility of replacing Gibbons, Anthopoulos said: “there’s never been any thought on that respect at all.”

Gibbons reportedly signed a two-year deal with options last fall. Entering Tuesday’s games, the 59-73 Blue Jays were 18 games behind the first-place Boston Red Sox.

Expectations were high for the Blue Jays after a busy off-season that included major trades and free-agent signings. However, Toronto struggled early in the year and never really got on track.

Injuries have been a factor and the starting rotation has struggled for most of the season. In addition, several key players have not performed up to expectations.

“The in-game managing and so on, I think he’s done a great job,” Anthopoulos said of Gibbons. “I think it’s so easy to pin results on one person. I think it’s convenient and I can say that for myself, I could say it for certain players, I could say it for the manager. I just don’t think blame falls on one person.

“I think when we’re playing the way we have, I just don’t think it falls on one person. I think it’s collectively so I think there’s blame to share. It’s probably the best way to put it.”

Gibbons was rehired last November. He went 305-305 when he previously managed the Blue Jays for parts of five seasons before being fired in June 2008.

The Blue Jays struggled mightily over a 2-8 road trip that wrapped up Sunday. The team is back home for a six-game homestand at Rogers Centre.

“I think we all can get better, myself included,” Anthopoulos said. “When we are where we are in the standings and the results are what they are, there is clearly a lot of room for improvement.

“Clearly we are going to need to have some type of change. I’m not prepared to say what those are, I think we need to play out the season.”

]]>http://o.canada.com/sports/jays-gm-anthopoulos-says-he-has-no-plans-to-replace-manager-gibbons/feed0Blue Jays General Manager Alex Anthopoulos, right, talk with manager John Gibbons, left, during baseball spring training in Dunedin, Fla., on Wednesday, Feb. 20, 2013.thecanadianpressJays GM still looking for elusive answers to miserable seasonhttp://o.canada.com/sports/jays-gm-still-looking-for-elusive-answers-to-miserable-season
http://o.canada.com/sports/jays-gm-still-looking-for-elusive-answers-to-miserable-season#commentsTue, 06 Aug 2013 01:36:39 +0000http://postmediacanadadotcom.wordpress.com/?p=291603]]>TORONTO — Perhaps it is unreasonable to expect definitive answers four months into a lost season. Perhaps there are no definitive answers.

It certainly sounded that way on Sunday in Anaheim when Toronto Blue Jays general manager Alex Anthopoulos spent close to half an hour taking media questions about the myriad of problems facing his beleaguered ball club. Based on a transcript of the Q&A posted on the team’s website, his go-to answer was: “We’re working on it.”

He took no one in particular to task, except to tighten the leash on Josh Johnson. He barely hinted at a housecleaning or, on the matter of his disorderly defence, a change in approach by the manager and coaches.

“I don’t know that we have the answer right now,” Anthopoulos said. “We continue to work at it and hopefully it’s going to improve.”

He was talking about the defence, ranked 25th in the majors according to data compiled by Fangraphs.com. But the answer varied only slightly as he addressed other problem areas.

The Blue Jays’ weekend news was familiar. They managed one win in four games against the Angels and were 3-4 on their West Coast trip entering Monday night’s game in Seattle. In the first six games of the trip, they committed eight errors. In the Anaheim series, their starters had a 10.06 ERA. An all-star reliever landed on the disabled list, and their 6-foot-7, US$13.75-million pitcher may be staring at his last start.

Reliever Steve Delabar, who was hit hard in Friday’s loss, will be gone for at least 15 days with shoulder inflammation. Anthopoulos said Delabar could continue to pitch if the Jays were in contention. After being examined by the Angels’ team doctor, Delabar went to Florida for a checkup by a Jays’ physician. “It looks like he just needs to rest,” the GM said.

The Jays still carry eight relievers, which has become the norm in a season when the starters have averaged 5.49 innings.

One of the primary culprits has been Johnson, whose hold on a rotation spot is officially on a “start to start” basis, Anthopoulos said. Johnson will take the ball for Tuesday’s game in Seattle, and if no change comes, presumably the Jays will take the ball from him.

Anthopoulos was unspecific, but seemed to intimate that another bad start would relegate Johnson to a mop-up relief role, allowing him to continue to work on his resurrection project without putting start after start in immediate jeopardy. (In his past four starts, Johnson has a 14.06 ERA and opponents are hitting .408 against him.)

“I know he’s working hard and he’s not making any excuses at all,” Anthopoulos said.

Meanwhile, J.A. Happ will return from his injury rehab assignment to start in Seattle in Wednesday, three months to the day after a line drive to the head felled him at Tropicana Field. A small skull fracture healed quickly, but as Happ fell, he suffered severe sprains to two knee ligaments. It has taken him this long to rebound from the left knee injury. He wears a knee brace while pitching.

Asked if he was satisfied with the performance of catcher J.P. Arencibia, the GM deflected the question by hopping quickly from the particular to the general.

“I think J.P. would be the first guy to tell you he can improve in a lot of areas,” he said. “I don’t want to single anybody out but I can point to so many areas on the club that we could stand to get better.”

Arenencibia, batting .212 with a .247 on-base percentage after Sunday’s game, is the only regular whose strikeout total exceeds the sum of his hits and walks. Statistically, he is on pace to reach a career-high 166 strikeouts – and a career-high 25 homers, although he has hit only two homers since June 18, a span of 34 games.

Anthopoulos said pitchers Marcus Stroman and Sean Nolin, standouts at Double-A New Hampshire, might earn September call-ups. So might Kyle Drabek and Drew Hutchison, who pitched for the Jays last year but remain on a short leash at Double-A as they work their way back from Tommy John surgeries.

The GM was asked if his roster includes any “untouchables.”

“There are certain players, like anything, you’re more reluctant to move because they’re very productive players, but you’re always open-minded,” Anthopopulos said. “I’ll hear what any club has to say.

“We don’t shop our players, we target guys, and players are going to get asked about. There’s always a deal for anybody, (but) it’s rare the other club will make it because it’s one-sided … But I don’t think you can rule anything out.”

]]>http://o.canada.com/sports/jays-gm-still-looking-for-elusive-answers-to-miserable-season/feed0Toronto Blue Jays general manager Alex Anthopoulos watches a team workout at the Blue Jays' Spring Training facility in Dunedin, FL.postmedianews1Jays’ GM has headache with aging, pricey rosterhttp://o.canada.com/sports/jays-gm-has-headache-with-aging-pricey-roster
http://o.canada.com/sports/jays-gm-has-headache-with-aging-pricey-roster#commentsSat, 03 Aug 2013 02:32:42 +0000http://postmediacanadadotcom.wordpress.com/?p=290994]]>TORONTO — Alex Anthopoulos says his current evaluations could change during the final two months of the season, but chances are he will enter October with a colossal headache.

His Toronto Blue Jays appear destined to finish in last place in the American League East. The roster is aging and expensive, largely because of the celebrated trades and free-agent signings the general manager engineered last winter. At the moment, he has two starting pitchers on the disabled list, one who cannot get anybody out and another — his ace of two years ago — toiling in the minors.

Casual observation and advanced metrics show that the Jays defence is among the worst in the majors. The offence hits a lot of homers, but otherwise languishes in the middle of the statistical pack. Only one pitching staff (Houston’s) has a worse ERA and no bullpen has had to pitch more innings.

As Anthopoulos ponders these problems, he also will be watching Adam Lind and Colby Rasmus closely the rest of the way. Both are performing in familiar fashion, unable — so far — to perform consistently for a full season, and seemingly moving in opposite directions at the moment.

Lind was batting .350 with a .979 OPS on June 15, his picturesque swing swatting line drives all over the lot. Since then, he has hit .211 with a .662 OPS.

Rasmus was hitting .238 with a .735 OPS on May 30. Since then, he has batted .316 with a .924 OPS, his calm, quick swing generating his most consistent production since he arrived from St. Louis two years ago.

Anthopoulos has a US$7-million option to bring back Lind, who needs a late surge to make that notion more appealing. The arbitration-eligible Rasmus (US$4.68-million this year) could make an attractive trade chip in the off-season as the GM searches for rotation reinforcements.

Anthopoulos might also have to take a hard look at what he is getting from his catcher. Among MLB catchers qualified for the batting title, J.P. Arencibia has the lowest batting average and on-base percentage, the highest strikeout rate and lowest walk rate, and the highest percentage of swinging strikes. He rates higher, of course, for homers (17) and RBIs (44).

On the plus side, the GM might find help under his nose. Kyle Drabek and Drew Hutchison, members of the 2012 Tommy John elbow surgery club, are performing well in short starts in the minors and could compete for starting jobs next spring. Sean Nolin and Marcus Stroman have been impressive at Double-A. And recently, the enigmatic Ricky Romero has shown some encouraging signs at Triple-A Buffalo.

The Blue Jays have $US110-million committed to 13 players for next season. Anthopoulos will have to decide how much of that he is willing to drag into 2014 and whether he can somehow unload some of it for cheaper returns and better results.

Anthopoulos added seven key players to great fanfare last winter. Whether they return, and how they perform if they do, will go a long way to determining whether the Jays can make the dreams of 2013 come true in 2014.

After a rough start, the 34-year-old Buehrlehas become the Jays’ most reliable rotation member. On May 6, he owned a 7.02 ERA and had allowed 11 homers in seven starts. In 15 starts since then: 3.12 ERA, five homers. The soft-tossing lefty is averaging 6.32 innings per start and has pitched 20 consecutive scoreless innings.

R.A. DICKEY, RHP

R.A. Dickey #43 of the Toronto Blue Jays pitches against the San Francisco Giants at AT&T Park on June 5, 2013 in San Francisco, California.

Signed through 2015. Total commitment (2013-15): US$30-million.

It has been a season full of contradictions for the National League’s 2012 Cy Young Award winner. The celebrated knuckleballer has been wildly inconsistent: eight starts of five or more earned runs, 13 of three or fewer earned runs. He pitches much better on the road than at home, where he has surrendered 18 of his 24 homers. Yet he has a 3.64 ERA in his last seven starts, five of which have been at home. He struggled with command early in the season when back spasms forced him into unwelcome changes in his mechanics. Average start: 6.4 innings.

JOSH JOHNSON, RHP

TORONTO, CANADA – APRIL 16: Josh Johnson #55 of the Toronto Blue Jays delivers a first inning pitch during MLB-game action against the Chicago White Sox April 16, 2013 at Rogers Centre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Signed through 2013 at US$13.75-million. Free agent after season.

Johnson is the biggest flop — and the biggest mystery — among the high-profile additions. After giving up seven runs in 2 1/3 innings Thursday, his ERA in his last four starts is 14.06. Johnson’s pitches simply catch the fat part of the strike zone too often and he rarely pitches inside. His value on the free-agent market has plummeted, leaving the Jays in a post-season dilemma: make a qualifying offer roughly equal to his salary and hope he says no, guaranteeing them a draft pick as compensation, or let him walk with no compensation. At this point, Johnson would obviously jump at the offer, leaving the Jays with an enormous — and expensive — mess on their hands.

Advertised as a capable utility man whose speed helps him reach base, rattle pitchers and steal bases, Bonifacio has been an offensive bust. He needs to put balls on the ground to capitalize on his speed, but his ground-ball percentage has reached a career low. Compared to previous years, everything has gone wrong for Bonifacio: more fly balls, more swings outside the strike zone, more strikeouts, fewer walks and only three bunt hits after collecting 29 in his previous two seasons.

SAN FRANCISCO, CA – JUNE 05: Melky Cabrera #53 of the Toronto Blue Jays grounds out in the third inning of their game against the San Francisco Giants at AT&T Park on June 5, 2013 in San Francisco, California.

In first year of two-year, US$16-million contract.

The advanced metrics show what fans have seen all season: Cabrera still makes plenty of contact, but he does not hit the ball as hard or as far as he did in his previous two seasons, putting the focus squarely on that positive PED test that cost him 50 games after he logged unprecedented numbers for the Giants last year. His power numbers are down, and his speed — this is a player who had 10 triples in 113 games before his suspension — is a faded memory. Hamstring and knee problems have hampered him all year, and he is now on the DL for the second time.

Toronto Blue Jays second baseman Maicer Izturis fumbles a ball to allow New York Yankees Robinson Cano on second after a single from Vernon Wells during fourth inning AL baseball action in Toronto on Saturday April 20, 2013.

, IF

In first year of three-year, US$10-million contract.

Izturis was batting .209 with a .247 on-base percentage through May 31, but since then (. 267 average, .326 OBP) he has met his unspectacular but usually reliable career norms. After eight years with the Angels, Izturis had a difficult time adjusting to his new home, manager John Gibbons has surmised. Now the everyday second baseman, he played third regularly while Brett Lawrie was out. He has hit .296 playing at third, .192 at second.

JOSE REYES, SS

TORONTO, CANADA – JULY 23: Jose Reyes #7 of the Toronto Blue Jays throws out the baserunner in the first inning during MLB game action against the Los Angeles Dodgers on July 23, 2013 at Rogers Centre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Signed through 2017. Total commitment, including 2013: US$96-million.

Besides Buehrle, Reyes, pictured top left, is the only player among the prominent newcomers to fulfil expectations, except that he was not expected to miss 66 games with a severe ankle sprain. While the Jays went 34-32 in his absence, his catalytic presence atop the batting order might have helped stir an offence that ranked among the worst in the majors in April.

So the Toronto Blue Jays stood pat at Wednesday’s non-waiver trade deadline. Talks grew relatively serious on two possible deals, but neither came to fruition and both stayed out of the social-media gossip mill, general manager Alex Anthopoulos said.

“The things that we worked the longest and the hardest on were not out there (in the media) … The things that were out there from a media perspective, I’d say almost all of them were completely false,” he said.

One deadline-day report said Texas, fearing a drug suspension for Nelson Cruz, tried to acquire Bautista or Encarnacion. Another said the Jays were bidding for Angels second baseman Howie Kendrick.

The club’s inactivity at the deadline does not mean Anthopoulos is content to take his last-place roster into 2014. Unsurprisingly, given the Jays’ glaring weaknesses, he said his top priorities are a starting pitcher and a middle infielder — middle infielder being a euphemism for a dependable second baseman.

“There’s no question we’re going to have to make changes and improve the roster in various ways,” he said. “But there weren’t those opportunities for us in terms of deals that made sense right now.”

Anthopoulos stressed his discussions over the past week could set the stage for off-season deals.

During the week leading up to the deadline, Anthopoulos said he twice thought his discussions might lead to a deal — once last week and again, on a different trade, on Tuesday.

“I don’t even want to say that we came close,” he said. “I just think we had some traction.”

Asked whether there was any interest in veteran reliever Darren Oliver, who plans to retire after this season, Anthopoulos indicated that the market for left-handed relievers was sluggish.

But there was no lack of interest in Jays players. Their relief corps — a bright spot for most of the season — certainly drew interest, but the GM could not find the right deal.

“We make deals when we think it makes sense, and we think that we improve the ball club,” Anrthopoulos said. “If we don’t think deals improve the ball club, then there’s no point in doing them.”

Teams can make trades in August but players involved must first clear waivers. If a player is claimed, his team can either withdraw him from waivers or try to work out a trade. Teams sometimes make a claim to block another team from getting a targeted player, and Anthopoulos would not be surprised if that happens more often this year.

“I think there’s more money in the game,” he said. “I don’t know that as many contracts will slide through waivers in August, which would obviously (result in) a lot more players getting blocked, and I think that could limit the activity overall.”

]]>http://o.canada.com/sports/blue-jays-stand-pat-as-trade-deadline-passes/feed1Toronto Blue Jays general manager Alex Anthopoulos talks on his cell phone during baseball spring training in Dunedin, Fla., on Wednesday, Feb. 16, 2011.postmedianews1Toronto Blue Jays most likely to be dealt at Major League Baseball’s trade deadlinehttp://o.canada.com/sports/blue-jays-most-likely-to-be-dealt-at-mlbs-trade-deadline
http://o.canada.com/sports/blue-jays-most-likely-to-be-dealt-at-mlbs-trade-deadline#commentsMon, 29 Jul 2013 21:08:58 +0000http://postmediacanadadotcom.wordpress.com/?p=288518]]>TORONTO — Well out of the playoff race, the Toronto Blue Jays figure to be sellers at Major League Baseball’s July 31 trade deadline. Here are five players who could be on the move:

The speedy outfielder is the ideal speciality player for a contender during the stretch run and playoffs. Davis is tied for third in the majors with 31 stolen bases despite having at least 100 fewer at-bats than anyone close. At 32 years old, Davis is still what manager John Gibbons called a “force” on the base paths, and he showed that Sunday in stealing four bases and advancing to third twice on throwing errors. The impending free agent is also a more-than-capable right-handed platoon player, as he’s hitting .333 against lefties this season.

Statistically, Oliver is having his worst season in almost a decade thanks to a 3.82 ERA at the age of 42. But left-handed relievers are hard to come by and Oliver has pitched in every round of the post-season. Oliver began as a starter, hence he’s at 1,900 career innings, but he has pitched strictly out of the bullpen for eight seasons. Nearing the end of the line, Oliver is a free agent this off-season, so any team acquiring him would only have to pick up the remainder of his $3-million salary.

Juan Perez

If the trade deadline had been a week earlier, Blue Jays general manager Alex Anthopoulos would’ve likely had no trouble getting something for Perez, who had a 0.00 ERA in his first 14 appearances. Perez has since given up six earned runs in 3 1/3 innings, but his ERA is still 2.13. The 34-year-old lefty has spent much of his career in the minors, but he might be worth a gamble for a team in need of bullpen help.

Janssen is 18-for-20 in save opportunities and has been rock solid at the back end of the Blue Jays’ bullpen. The Blue Jays have an affordable team option on the 31-year-old for 2014, so there’s no need to trade him unless they get a significant return. But with several other reliable relievers around, Alex Anthopoulos can deal from a position of strength to fill other holes in the organization. Janssen is 3-0 with a 2.43 ERA and doesn’t have to be a closer to be successful.

At 38, DeRosa is getting up there, hitting .232 with seven home runs in part-time duty. He’s not a starter on the last-place Blue Jays and wouldn’t be a big piece for any contender, but any team looking for a veteran voice in the locker-room and a pinch-hitter who can provide a little bit of power, DeRosa might be a low-cost option. He was counted on during the Washington Nationals’ 2012 run even when he didn’t make the playoff roster.

Then the Blue Jays went out to play an afternoon game and acted like it was April all over again.

A mistake-prone defence and a sluggish offence contributed to the chaos that enveloped the Jays at the start of the season, and so it was again under the bright sunshine in Cleveland. Taking no momentum from a spirited comeback victory the night before, the Jays lost 4-2 and squandered an opportunity for a series win.

R.A. Dickey was mostly effective over six innings, but his knuckleball turned ornery in his final frame. After Dickey loaded the bases without a hit, Rajai Davis made a throw that missed both cutoff man and catcher, and at that point, channel-hoppers could safely grab the remote.

“We were in that game,” manager John Gibbons said. “We couldn’t get that big blast. Generally when we win, we hit home runs.”

The Jays have hit seven home runs while going 4-6 this month. In five of their losses, they did not hit a homer. A similar power outage plagued them in April.

But their current malaise transcends the power game. In their six July losses, the Jays have been shut out twice and have scored a total of 11 runs.

“Our bats have gone cold here in the last week,” Gibbons said. “We’ve had some spurts against a couple teams but overall we’re not swinging real well.”

In the series finale against the Indians, two defensive misplays created the difference in the final score.

With the score 1-1 in the sixth, Dickey lost his knuckleball command and left-fielder Davis performed a defensive pratfall that brought April to mind.

A hit batter and two walks loaded the bases with one out. Lonnie Chisenhall then cued a soft single to left to drive in the tie-breaking run. But Davis made matters worse by airmailing a throw to the backstop. Another run scored as catcher Josh Thole scrambled to corral the ball.

Jose Bautista, whose double had driven in the tying run in the top of the sixth, caught the defensive pox in the eighth. As he advanced to catch Carlos Santana’s sinking line drive to right field, he slipped, desperately reaching out to try to snare the ball as he fell. It sailed past him for what was scored an RBI triple.

Dickey’s control lapse and those two defensive plays represented sins unpardonable by what the Jays euphemistically call their offence these days. Making his major-league debut, Cleveland right-hander Danny Salazar flummoxed Toronto batters on two hits over six innings. He struck out seven and walked one, taking a no-hitter into the sixth.

Dickey was very good between the first inning, when he yielded his 20th homer of the season to Astrubal Cabrera, and the fateful sixth. He allowed three runs (two earned) and struck out seven. But he started the sixth by hitting Michael Brantley with an inexplicably wayward knuckleball.

“It got halfway to the plate and decided it was going to take a left turn,” Dickey said. “It wasn’t a bad knuckleball, didn’t have any spin on it. Just, for whatever reason, in that moment, it went into him, rather than straight down or straight.”

That started a two-run rally, capped by the Davis missile that dented the backstop.

But overall, Dickey was heartened by his start and by the way his body has felt after a lengthy stint of back tightness.

“The last four, five weeks I feel like I’ve really been good as far as the way I’ve felt,” he said. “So I anticipate it being a pretty strong [second] half for me.”

In four of his past seven starts, Dickey has allowed a total of five earned runs. In the other three, he has allowed a total of 19.

None of the foregoing seems to suggest the Blue Jays, who take a 44-47 record into Baltimore Friday, are destined to drag themselves out of last place and make a run for October.

But Anthopoulos was sanguine during a pre-game scrum, observing that too many teams have made improbable September surges to count the Jays out.

“I think in the loss column we’re six games out of a wild-card spot,” he said. “We still have half of July left, all of August left and you can see how quickly things can change.

“I still believe in the talent level. You can make up six games in the 70 games left or whatever it might be. It can absolutely be done. There’s still time.”

Anthopoulos added, however, that he is not in the market for a rental player (Chase Utley was among the rumoured rentals) to help the Jays make a final push. His interest is primarily in players whose contracts continue beyond this season, he said.

]]>http://o.canada.com/sports/danny-salazar-wins-major-league-debut-as-cleveland-indians-down-r-a-dickey-toronto-blue-jays-4-2/feed0Jose Bautistapostmedianews1Johnson stumbles again as Blue Jays fall below .500http://o.canada.com/sports/red-sox-beat-blue-jays-after-wasting-five-run-lead
http://o.canada.com/sports/red-sox-beat-blue-jays-after-wasting-five-run-lead#commentsSat, 29 Jun 2013 03:33:25 +0000http://postmediacanadadotcom.wordpress.com/?p=273324]]>BOSTON — For one shining start on June 17, Josh Johnson looked like the pitcher Alex Anthopoulos had in mind when he started talking trade with the Miami Marlins last winter.

In that game, Johnson pitched shutout ball over 7 1/3 innings against the Colorado Rockies. He had recently come off the disabled list and the start raised the team’s hopes that the tall right-hander would finally fulfil the hopes of the general manager and Blue Jays fans.

But for most of the season, Johnson’s performance has been mediocre. It was downright awful Friday night in Fenway Park when he put the Jays in an early 5-0 hole that led to a 7-5 loss to the Boston Red Sox.

“They made me throw a lot of pitches, fouling some pitches off, taking some close ones and hitting all the mistakes I made,” said Johnson, who lasted only 3 1/3 innings. “It was tough … I didn’t do my job.”

The defeat dropped the Jays below .500 at 39-40. They are 1-4 on the current road trip and fell to 8 1/2 games behind the first-place Red Sox with two games left in the four-game series.

Toronto erased the five-run deficit, tying the score on Edwin Encarnacion’s 23rd homer in the seventh inning. But the Jays’ relievers, so solid in recent weeks, experienced an untimely if inevitable off-night, allowing two runs in the bottom of the inning, largely because they had trouble finding the plate.

“The bullpen can’t be perfect every night,” manager John Gibbons said. “They’ve been pitching so well. But it starts with the starter. (The Red Sox) have been taking it to us pretty good.”

One night earlier, Boston knocked out starter Chien-Ming Wang in the second inning with a seven-run outburst. During the first two games of the series, Gibbons used seven of his eight relievers. Only Dustin McGowan was idle.

After Neil Wagner gave up singles to the first two batters in the seventh, Brett Cecil came in and struck out David Ortiz. Then Cecil walked Mike Napoli on a 3-1 pitch and gave up an RBI single to Jonny Gomes on another 3-1 pitch.

Johnson allowed five runs on eight hits and walked two, throwing 90 pitches. He sailed through the first, gave up two in the second, one in the third and two more in the fourth.

It could have been worse. Jose Bautista threw out Ortiz trying to score from second on a single to end the third.

The Jays have cooled off considerably after their 11-game win streak. Hopes were high that Jose Reyes could help them stay hot when he returned to the leadoff spot, but while he has played splendid defence at shortstop, he is 1-for-10 at the plate.

“You’re bound to cool off (after a streak),” Gibbons said. “But we were in that thing. We came back and tied that with a chance to win. It just didn’t happen.”

The Red Sox pounded six Toronto pitchers for 15 hits, including a triple and two singles by Dustin Pedroia.

Before the game, the Jays placed outfielder Melky Cabrera on the 15-day disabled list with tendinitis in his left knee and recalled infielder Munenori Kawasaki from Triple-A Buffalo.

Gibbons said Rajai Davis, who singled twice and stole a base Friday, would start in left field in Cabrera’s spot most nights. Emilio Bonifacio, a switch-hitter, will start in left against some right-handed pitchers, with Kawasaki filling in for Bonifacio at second base.

Former All-Star SS, Jose Reyes, is set to return any day now, as he completes his rehabilitation assignment at AAA Buffalo. Obviously this is very good news, as Reyes’ potent bat will improve a team offence that seems to be firing on nearly all cylinders. However, the team can only carry 25 players on its active roster, which means someone will have to be sent elsewhere upon his return.

During Reyes’ absence, Munenori Kawasaki has spent a lion’s share of the available time at shortstop. His numbers haven’t been fantastic, but he’s done a tremendous job of capturing the attention and hearts of the fans. His quirky warmup rituals, ebullient interactions with players and fans alike, and clutch hitting, have endeared him to the entire world of baseball. As much as the team has to keep its best interest in mind, how can they ignore Kawasaki’s popularity?

When Reyes returns to the team he will be the everyday shortstop, which means Kawasaki will have to move somewhere else. Whether that’s some time at 2B, or into a backup role, or a trip to the minor leagues, is yet to be seen.

A trainer works on Toronto Blue Jays’ Jose Reyes after he injured his leg while stealing second base during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Mo., Friday, April 12, 2013. Reyes went on the 60-day disabled list, and is set to return any day now. (AP Photo/Orlin Wagner)

As in most cases with this type of transaction, the Jays do have a few options.

Currently, the team is carrying 13 pitchers. This is a little more than usual, and they could likely get by with one fewer relief arm. This would give Kawasaki the ability to compete for the starting 2B job. However, with the starting rotation continuing to struggle at times, having a number of pitchers to rely on in the bullpen could be incredibly valuable. This move would also create a logjam of backup infielders, something the team doesn’t really need right now. We should also take into account the fact that Emilio Bonifacio is still seen as a player with good potential, and Maicer Izturis is paid far too much to sit on the bench. How likely will the team be to bench either of these players in favour of Kawasaki?

The Jays could also decide to move one of Bonifacio, Izturis, or Mark DeRosa. None of them has any minor league options remaining, so they can’t be dumped into the minors without passing through waivers. Bonifacio and Izturis would probably be claimed by another team, and DeRosa would almost certainly refuse his assignment and elect to become a free agent. Any of these players could be traded, though none of the three have a tremendous amount of value right now. Both Bonifacio and Izturis are having disastrous seasons with the bat, and neither has been particularly impressive on defence either. DeRosa has been a very helpful (though average) hitter, and his defence has been about what you would expect for a 38-year-old in the twilight of his career.

What can the Jays possibly get back for any of these these players? And would it be worth it to give a player like Kawasaki such a big chance? While he certainly has been a fan favourite, are Kawasaki’s numbers really indicative of a player who deserves this chance in the spotlight?

Munenori Kawasaki’s 2013 stats, courtesy of Fangraphs.com

Kawasaki’s AVG and BABIP leave much to be desired, but his on-base percentage is above average. His very good walk rate is what makes up the difference, and makes him a valuable tool at the bottom of the order. His wOBA is below average, but a 92 wRC+ is certainly good enough to indicate that he deserves to start. The former Japanese star has always been a light-hitting batter, so don’t expect much out of his SLG and ISO numbers. As for what he does with the glove, Kawasaki also has not been very good, though neither are any of the middle infielders on this team, including Reyes. Fortunately, at least as far as his 2012 small sample size statistics with Seattle would indicate, Kawasaki is probably a better defender at 2B.

General Manager, Alex Anthopoulos, could also just return Kawasaki to the minor leagues. The 32-year-old does have such options remaining on his contract. This may not be a popular decision, but might be the best one from the standpoint of fiscal responsibility.

So what should the Jays do? Moving Kawasaki into any role other than a starter will cause disappointment amongst the fan base. However, any move the team makes to win more games will almost certainly make the fans happier in the long run.

If I could make the decision I would probably see if there was any chance of receiving a halfway decent return for a trade of Bonifacio or Izturis, and slot Kawasaki in as the starting 2B. Failing that, I’d have to release DeRosa, move Kawasaki into the starting role, and see what Bonizturis could do as bench players.

For now.

Any move this team makes will have to be monitored closely, and not seen as a final decision on anyone’s career. Fortunately, with a talented GM like Anthopoulos at the helm, it’s likely he’s been anticipating this moment, and making inquiries, for weeks.

With the eventual return of Brett Lawrie, the waters get murkier. But that’s another story.

Before his team hit a brick wall at Tropicana Field, the manager was asked whether the Blue Jays’ 11-game surge had altered his workday routine.

“You don’t want to do anything that might curse it — like talk about it too much,” he said with a smile, pretty well ending that line of questioning.

A few hours later, the Tampa Bay Rays had ended the Blue Jays’ line of victories. The score was 4-1. The Jays are back in last place. Probably just too much chatter, if you ask Gibbons.

But for the past week or so, Blue Jays fans have been buzzing about little else, and who could blame them? From the doormats of April, the Jays morphed into the darlings of June. They had reeled off a 15-4 record for the month and were closing in on a club record of 12 straight wins.

That bid ended rather quietly in Tropicana Field, with the Jays managing one measly single by J.P. Arencibia off Jeremy Hellickson in seven innings. They finished with a total of four hits, two of which did not exit the infield.

There was a brief noisy spell back in the second inning when starter Esmil Rogers gave up consecutive home runs to James Loney, Wil Myers and Sam Fuld. That gave a jolt to the 11,407 hometown fans, whose heroes had lost eight of their previous 12 games.

With the loss, the Jays swapped places with the Rays in the American League East standings, falling back into the familiarity of last place but still only 5 1/2 games back of the front-running Boston Red Sox.

This was the first of seven critical road games this week against the Rays and Red Sox, a golden opportunity to jump from the fringe to the thick of the division race. Gibbons was hoping the streak might continue in an arena that has been a snakepit for Toronto in recent years. The Jays are now 10-32 at Tropicana from 2009 to present.

“You hope you can stretch it out a long time, and then when it’s finally over, you can hope to start another one,” he said.

The Jays are 4-4 versus Tampa Bay so far. As Gibbons observed before the game, they have played three of their four division rivals “pretty well even” this year, the egregious exception being the Yankees, who have beaten them eight times in nine games. That leaves them with a 15-21 record within the division, reinforcing the notion that this week’s games represent both challenge and opportunity.

Before the week is over, they expect to welcome back shortstop and leadoff man Jose Reyes, who played his seventh rehab game Monday night in Buffalo with general manager Alex Anthopoulos among the spectators.

The Jays say they are monitoring Reyes daily, with no specific target date for his return, although it is clear he will rejoin the club sometime this week. He is tentatively scheduled to play Tuesday night at Double-A New Hampshire.

“He could be there, he could be here [in St. Petersburg] in the next couple of days, you never know,” Gibbons said.

Over the 6-0 homestand that finished Sunday, the Toronto offence scored 39 runs and hit 11 homers. But against the Rays, their attack consisted of four singles, including an infield hit and a bloop single that contributed to their lone run in the eighth inning.

The Rays’ home-run barrage in the second inning halted an impressive run for Rogers, who had surrendered only four earned runs in four starts since he was pressed into service as an emergency starter May 29. This time he matched that number in one evening, although he did manage to work six innings.

Hellickson has had his way with the Jays this season. On May 22, he held them to two runs on four hits over eight innings in a game Toronto.

These words are often bandied about by the fanatics who follow a sporting club. Sometimes, though usually a little farther down the chronological line, they are used by journalists as well. But let’s not forget one very salient fact. You’d be hard-pressed to find a group of people more prone to hyperbole than sports writers and sports fans.

Whether it’s a rabid fan changing the hashtag #lovethisteam to #hatethisteam; or a journalist invoking Kipling, Patton, or Shakespeare; you can be sure that someone is about to use exaggeration to get your attention.

While the Toronto Blue Jays’ season has been less spectacular than the pre-season hype would lead us to believe, just how bad has this team been? Is the current run of four-straight wins, and a 7-3 record in the last 10 games, a sign of changing fortunes?

THE OFFENCE

Blue Jays’ offensive stats, provided by Fangraphs.com

No one can doubt that the offence, defence, and pitching have played below the “on-paper” expectations of this team. Just a cursory look at the different projection services on Fangraphs and other pages, shows that a majority of these players have not lived up to expectations. The chart above shows most of the relevant offensive stats. It’s organized in descending wOBA order. wOBA, or weighted on-base average, is designed to “measure a hitter’s overall offensive value, based on the relative values of each distinct offensive event.” See this link for more information on why wOBA is such a fantastic stat, far better than the usual AVG, OBP, SLG, and OPS. The league average wOBA is .320.

More than half of this team currently sports a wOBA below the average, and given that Jose Reyes (who’s been injured since the second week of the season), Adam Lind, and Mark DeRosa have had limited playing time, it’s really only Jose Bautista, Edwin Encarnacion, and Colby Rasmus that are having “above average” seasons so far. Using wRC+ (league average = 60) , the picture is a little more rosy, but still very concerning.

It’d be easy to say that the team has to do more of one thing, or less of another, but that’s far too simplistic an outlook. The reality is that each player has weaknesses that need to be improved. While it’s true that every player doesn’t have the physical ability to improve power output, or speed on the base paths, there are some aspects of the game that are within the control of everyone. Arguments on visual acuity aside, any player with enough patience can be taught to take walks, or know when, and when not, to swing.

J.P. Arencibia seen here, homering against the Boston Red Sox on April 6, 2013, has had some impressive power numbers, but must walk more and strike out less. Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images

J.P. Arencibia needs to walk more. A lot more. And strikeout a lot less. With a 1.4% walk rate (second worse in all of MLB), and a 33.3% strikeout rate (fourth worse), J.P. is just not selective enough with his batting. I know, I know, you see the 10 homeruns and 20 RBI, and see a lot of production. Don’t get me wrong, Arencibia’s power numbers (ISO of .257 where .145 is average) are very impressive, and hopefully a sign of things to come, but power alone does not a well-rounded player make.

Colby Rasmus’ walk rate isn’t too awful, but certainly could improve into double digits. Even if this happens, it’s unlikely he’ll make up for his preponderance of strikeouts. His strikeout rate of 40.7% is intolerable. He is the worst in all of MLB by a full 2.2%, even whiffing more often than perennial K-masters Adam Dunn, Dan Uggla, and Ryan Howard. More concerning than this are Rasmus’ plate discipline numbers. He’s certainly swinging and missing a lot, but he’s not chasing pitches out of the zone all that much more than the league average, nor is he doing so on pitches inside the zone. What’s staggering is how often he misses. His contact rate on pitches outside the zone is down by nearly 20% from last year, and down by 11% on pitches inside the zone. Worse than that is a drop of more than 14% from 2012 in total contact percentage.

Of course that’s not the entire picture. Melky Cabrera‘s power numbers have been abysmal. Brett Lawrie must collect more hits, and get on-base more often. Maicer Izturis and Emilio Bonifacio have added minuscule offensive output to the team, and simply must get on-base with greater regularity. A solo homerun is the only way to score runs without someone on-base. How often can you rely on that?

PITCHING

Blue Jays’ pitching stats, provided by Fangraphs.com

The chart above is organized using xFIP, or expected fielding independent pitching, which serves to “measure what a pitcher’s ERA should have looked like over a given time period, assuming that performance on balls in play and timing were league average.” This removes, as best as possible, the defence behind a pitcher, and some park factors. See this link for more information, but remember that 4.20 is about the league average.

The Blue Jays’ relief pitching corps has actually been quite good thus far. Closer, Casey Janssen, has been as close to lights out as you can get. To give you an idea of just how good, take a look at his walk-rate, homerun-rate, and his earned run average. That’s not a mistake. Janssen hasn’t allowed a single walk or homerun all year. In 13 IP of work he’s allowed one earned run, posting a meagre 0.69 ERA. You don’t see it here, but he has also seen a mere four hits in 43 batters faced. Astounding.

R.A. Dickey, seen here in action against the Seattle Mariners on May 4, 2013, must walk fewer batters, and allow fewer homeruns. Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images

2012 NL Cy Young winner, R.A. Dickey, seems to be the only starter putting up decent numbers so far. While his xFIP rate hovers around the average, and his ground ball-rate scores at 80th best in MLB, he has been more effective than his 3-5 record would indicate. Dickey isn’t pitching to the same strengths he’s shown in the past. His last three full seasons, all with the Mets, saw HR/9IP numbers at 0.92 or better. So far this year, Dickey has allowed 1.50 HR/9IP. Last year he kept 80% of runners on-base, but this year that number has been lowered by nearly 12%. Dickey’s control is certainly in question, as his career walk-rate of 2.84/9IP has ballooned to 4.00 for 2013.

Josh Johnson, J.A. Happ, and Brandon Morrow are currently on the disabled list, but haven’t added much to this team so far.

Happ did get off to a strong start, but regressed over his last few starts before taking a liner off the head in Tampa Bay. While he’s done a good job of keeping runners on base, Happ has allowed too many to get there, especially by the walk, generating 5.18 BB/9IP. Even though his ground ball-rate has been quite low, he’s not allowing a ton of homeruns, with only 5.6% of fly balls leaving the yard. Upon his return, which is expected to be some time in June, he’ll have to aim for more ground ball outs, and fewer walks.

Josh Johnson must also induce more ground balls, but has to get his homeruns down again. His strikeout numbers have been decent, but he’s also allowing far too many walks. Johnson isn’t expected back until early/mid-June.

Morrow, who will likely return in the next few days, is in desperate need of more ground balls as well, inducing only 35.7% of batters. His K/9IP rate is down, both over his career average, and the moment when he was converted to being a full-time starter. His walk-rate and homerun-rate are also up dramatically from last year. Forcing just under 70% of runners to remain on base isn’t good enough either, so Morrow has a few things to improve on when he’s back from the DL.

Mark Buehrle is probably the most worrisome of the Jays’ starting pitchers. A wily veteran who has been good for 200+ quality innings in every season from 2001 to 2012, the Jays are looking to Buehrle to provide some consistency. Unfortunately, the 34-year-old is allowing more walks and homeruns than he ever has before. His 67.1 LOB% is the second lowest of his career, his ground ball-rate is his lowest ever, and he’s allowing more homeruns per fly-ball as well. If this isn’t regression to the mean, in the classic form of a pitcher nearing age 35, I don’t know what is.

DEFENCE

I won’t post a chart here, because it just takes up too much space. Navigate here for a decent Fangraphs chart that shows the Jays’ stats. I personally believe that defensive numbers at this point of the year are even more prone to irrelevancy due to small sample size than those for offence or pitching.

One stat that I must point out is the defence at 2B from both Izturis and Bonifacio. They’ve put in 326 innings and 106 attempts between the two of them, both struggling to a -17.3 UZR/150. Their defensive runs saved numbers are nearly identical at the position, though it’s probably far, far too soon to take that number too seriously.

While Encarnacion has shown some flashes of brilliance with the glove, and is certainly a better defensive 1B than he ever was a 3B, he’s still showing a -5.2 UZR/150 in 267.1 innings. This is probably due to his lack of range, scoring a -1.8 RngR mark so far.

Munenori Kawasaki, who has taken over at SS during Reyes’ absence, has not lived up to his previously impressive defensive numbers. His UZR/150 is at -8.9, well down from 3.0 in limited play in Seattle in 2012.

Overall, by UZR/150, the team ranks 19th, with a -3.5. Their full UZR mark (-10.2) has them at 26th, and they sit at 20th spot in DRS at -5.

WHERE THE JAYS SIT

This is where the Toronto Blue Jays sit vs. the rest of the league in key stats. Numbers courtesy of Fangraphs and Baseball Reference.

As far as where the Jays line up against the rest of the league, the numbers are not entirely encouraging. Keep in mind that the charge above takes into account all games up to the end of May 15, 2013. If the team continues to play at the same clip that we’ve seen over the last week, then this could change very quickly.

The pitching really and truly does look atrocious.

Obviously the team ISO and SLG numbers are impressive; though, with the reliance on the homerun thus far, it’s not at all surprising. The offence has to get on-base more, and must improve their batting average on balls in play. This means more patience at the plate, though not just to squeeze more walks out of opponent pitchers. Being more selective on which pitches to swing at can yield far better results on where the ball is driven. It’s hard to take a pitcher to the opposite field, or carve a ball into the gaps/corners, if you can’t be patient to wait for the right pitch on which to do that.

The pitching really and truly does look atrocious. This team has to induce more ground balls, walk fewer batters, and keep the ball inside the park. While the WHIP stat can be misleading if runners are being stranded, it’s still indicative of a team that is allowing far too many baserunners in 2013. Keeping the ball down in the zone to force groundouts, and striking out more batters, will be a major key for Toronto going forward.

The defensive numbers aren’t too heartening either, especially for a team that has the legacy of having worked with one of the best defence coaches in the league, Brian Butterfield. This team must reach more balls than the average MLB player, and must commit fewer errors on the balls they reach.

In some earlier posts I pointed out that we’d have to wait for mid-May to determine where this team might be headed. Here we are with four-and-a-half months to play, and it’s certainly going to be an uphill battle. If the team wants to reach 95 wins they’ll have to be victorious in 78 of the 121 remaining games. That’s a .644 winning percentage, which is a pretty significant challenge. However, with what might be a growing level of parity in the league, and an extra wild card spot, 95 wins may not be necessary.

2013 remains very interesting.

Take Our Poll]]>http://o.canada.com/sports/feast-or-famine-the-toronto-blue-jays-so-far/feed0BBA Giants Blue JayschrismelitoBlue Jays' offensive stats, provided by Fangraphs.comBlue Jays vs Red SoxBlue Jays' pitching stats, provided by Fangraphs.comJays vs MarinersThis is where the Toronto Blue Jays sit vs. the rest of the league in key stats. Numbers courtesy of Fangraphs and Baseball Reference.Toronto Blue Jays Brett Lawrie returns to actionhttp://o.canada.com/sports/baseball/toronto-blue-jays-brett-lawrie-returns-to-action
http://o.canada.com/sports/baseball/toronto-blue-jays-brett-lawrie-returns-to-action#commentsTue, 16 Apr 2013 18:03:14 +0000http://o.canada.com/?p=232388]]>He hasn’t played for the team all season but Tuesday will be Toronto Blue Jays Brett Lawrie’s first game of 2013.

SERGIO SANTOS will be placed on the 15-day DL due to tricep strain. BRETT LAWRIE to be activated from DL tomorrow and will return to team.

Lawrie’s normal postition is at third base, but with the injury to shortstop Jose Reyes, the Jays infield is suddenly in flux. Will he see time at second base? Maybe but nothing has yet been determined for tonight’s game against the White Sox. It’s expected he stays at third base, but second is an option.

He has recovered from a strain oblique muscle that occurred during practice for the World Baseball Classic with the Canadian baseball team.

During last year’s full season, Lawrie hit 11 home runs, chipped in with 48 RBI and batted .273. The Langley, B.C. native made 17 errors, but he has great range for a 3B and will help solidify the infield defence, which has been scuffling.

]]>http://o.canada.com/sports/baseball/toronto-blue-jays-brett-lawrie-returns-to-action/feed0041613LAWRIEjohndujayWill Brett Lawrie return to the Blue Jays as a 2B?http://o.canada.com/sports/will-brett-lawrie-return-to-the-blue-jays-as-a-2b
http://o.canada.com/sports/will-brett-lawrie-return-to-the-blue-jays-as-a-2b#commentsMon, 15 Apr 2013 18:43:58 +0000http://o.canada.com/?p=231672]]>Ever since the Toronto Blue Jays lost SS Jose Reyes, they’ve been looking for ways to maximize their roster in his absence.

In the short term, they’ve simply replaced him on the roster with Munenori Kawasaki, who is a very good defensive player. Sadly, Kawasaki is not great with the bat, and will not come close to replacing Reyes’ offence — one of the few bright spots in the Jays’ lineup so far this season. Kawasaki’s MLB experience is limited to two games this season, plus 61 for the Mariners in 2012. His slash line last season was .192/.257/.202/.459 with an OPS+ of 34 and fWAR of -0.3.

Toronto Blue Jays’ Munenori Kawasaki, right, beats the tag by Kansas City Royals shortstop Alcides Escobar, left, during the third inning of a baseball game at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Mo., Sunday, April 14, 2013. Kawasaki was safe with a stolen base.

The Jays really have two main options when deciding how to replace Reyes. They can stick with internal options, or look for someone outside the organization.

If they stay within the system, the longer term solution will all hinge on who they want playing 2B. So far, Emilio Bonifacio has not been a fantastic defensive option at the position, nor has it been his strength throughout his career. Maicer Izturis is better, but he’ll likely be needed to take the SS role once Brett Lawrie returns.

If they stay with internal options, the team can have Bonifacio at 2B and Jose Bautista in RF. This could be a problem if Bonifacio’s defence continues to be poor. Bonifacio’s UZR/150 (ultimate zone rating – a Sabrmetric stat that compares individual defensive plays with how they would be handled by the “average” player) rating is -9.5 over his career at 2B, while Bautista’s UZR/150 is -3.2 in RF.

Alternately, Bonifacio can move to RF, Bautista move to 3B, and Lawrie play 2B. Bonifacio is an above average defender in RF, with a UZR/150 of 14.8. Bautista is below average, with a -6.3, but did have a strong 2011 with a 19.1 UZR/150 in 205 innings. Lawrie hasn’t played 2B in the Majors at all, and other than a handful of games this season at A+ Dunedin, hasn’t played the position since 2010 in the Brewers’ organization. His numbers have never been good at the position, but this was before former Blue Jays’ fielding coach, Brian Butterfield, got a hold of him. Lawrie has a UZR/150 of 8.0 at 3B, which is encouraging news that might indicate a translation of skill to a “new” position.

Should the team choose to make a trade to fill the vacancy, they also have many options.

SS to replace Reyes, and then move that player to 2B, upon his return

younger player, a future SS, who is willing to play 2B until Reyes is ready to move away from short.

solid 2B (better than Bonifacio/Izturis)

OF, any position, as either Melky Cabrera or Colby Rasmus could be moved to RF.

There are a number of young SS available, though any of real worth would require a rather large trade package in return. With the minor league system depleted after an off-season of trades, and the team unlikely to want to move MLB talent, this could be very risky. The same can be said of a trade for an outfielder, of which many quality players are available. The same cannot be said of a 2B, a position where there is a dearth of qualified personnel.

Jim Bowden of ESPN.com has reported that the Jays made inquiries regarding Braves’ SS Tyler Pastornicky. Originally drafted in the fifth round by the Jays in 2008, Pastornicky has struggled in 76 games last year in Atlanta. He could be a decent replacement, and, at 23, the his book is not yet written.

Neil Walker, seen here during yesterday’s game with the Cincinnati Reds, could be a decent option at 2B for the Jays.

Though it’s certainly a pie in the sky exercise, I’d think a decently realistic choice at 2B would be the Pirates’ Neil Walker. He’s struggled so far in 2013, but has had an above average career, and, at only 27, has a decent amount of his career remaining. The Oakland Athletics have a bit of a logjam in their OF, with Josh Reddick and Yoenis Cespedes being the most desirable. Neither is likely to be available, but Reddick might be pried from the A’s for the right package. Given Adam Lind’s current struggles, having a quality LH batter in the order would help.

It is probably way too soon to be talking about a major trade, hence the aforementioned “pie in the sky” comment. In any case, Alex Anthopoulos isn’t the type to talk about trades he has in the works, nor does he often make moves that anyone is expecting.

In any case, it will be interesting to see how this team handles the temporary loss of Reyes. If they should chose to move Lawrie to 2B, watching that situation transpire will be even more interesting.

Take Our Poll]]>http://o.canada.com/sports/will-brett-lawrie-return-to-the-blue-jays-as-a-2b/feed1Brett LawriechrismelitoToronto Blue Jays' Munenori Kawasaki, right, beats the tag by Kansas City Royals shortstop Alcides Escobar, left, during the third inning of a baseball game at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Mo., Sunday, April 14, 2013. Kawasaki was safe with a stolen base.Neil Walker, seen here during yesterday's game with the Cincinnati Reds, could be a decent option at 2B for the Jays.Toronto Blue Jays’ Jose Reyes down with injuryhttp://o.canada.com/sports/toronto-blue-jays-jose-reyes-down-with-injury
http://o.canada.com/sports/toronto-blue-jays-jose-reyes-down-with-injury#commentsSat, 13 Apr 2013 04:44:03 +0000http://o.canada.com/?p=230840]]>

Jose Reyes just left the stadium, in a wheelchair with left leg heavily taped. #Jays

The Toronto Blue Jays have been maligned rather prematurely this season, and it doesn’t seem as though it’s going to get much better anytime soon.

Though they did walk away from last night’s battle with the Kansas City Royals with an 8-4 victory, the party was spoiled by the news that Jose Reyes will likely miss between one and three months with an ankle injury. After a 2-run single in the top of the 6th, Reyes successfully stole 2B, but slid awkwardly into the bag, visibly in pain.

A trainer works on Toronto Blue Jays’ Jose Reyes after he injured his leg while stealing second base during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Mo., Friday, April 12, 2013. Blue Jays second baseman Emilio Bonifacio (1) and Royals second baseman Elliot Johnson (23) stand to the side.

Reyes, one of the few bright spots in the team’s lineup so far this season, left the game early, and was taken for an MRI.

The Twittersphere exploded immediately with a number of premature prognostications ranging from “he’ll be fine,” and “I’m not medical expert, but…” to “oh my god, it’s the end of the Universe.”

#bluejays win 8-4 but big story is reyes ancle injury! He will probubly be out for a long time. not good!!! #bluejays#jays

Finally the word came down from manager, John Gibbons, and general manager, Alex Anthopoulos. The best case scenario is that Reyes will be back in one month, but could be out as many as three. Though we don’t have a final word on the medical diagnosis, it’s certain that Reyes will make a trip to the disabled list for some time.

It’s not yet known who will replace Reyes at shortstop, but Maicer Izturis and Emilio Bonifacio have the most experience at the position. Neither of them is a fantastic choice, and expectations are that Anthopoulos will find someone more appropriate for the role. Jays’ radio broadcaster Mike Wilner even tweeted that the GM was already in the process of doing just that.

The team doesn’t have MLB-ready talent down in the minors. Ryan Goins and Munenori Kawasaki are the prime candidates in AAA Buffalo, with Kevin Nolan and Amadeo Zazueta in AA New Hampshire. None of them are ready for the real thing just yet, though Kawasaki did play in 61 games for Seattle last season, where he hit for a .192/.257/.202/.459 slash line with a -0.3 fWAR.

Hold on to your seats, kids, it’s getting even more interesting for baseball fans in Toronto.